ENCOURAGEMENT FOR HURTING PARENT

There is probably nothing more painful for a christian parent than to have one of her children rebel against the lord and against her. After you have spent years loving your child, raising him in the christian way and showing him the path to salvation, after investing so much time and resources,the pain of seeing your child go astray goes so deep into your soul and makes you feel like a failure.All this makes you want to question God, it fills you with grief that just won't go away.

After all this ,the question remains, should you just fold your hands and allow the devil destroy the child? On the contrary God wants you to persevere in prayer and keep loving your child,hoping and believing that God can and will save the child and make him a better person in future.

Do children always rebel and go their own way because of the failure of their parents? No,not always.Although it is generally true that if children are trained up properly in the way of the lord,they will naturally follow the lord as they grow older,it is not always the case.This is because the children grow up and assume responsibilities,they think and decide for themselves,as they grow up and interact with their peers,they get exposures that are capable of influencing their decisions.

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Thus Godly parents who have done their best of abilities,seek to raise their children in their faith may still have children who will turn away from it,when this happen, do not apportion blame or either give up hope,don't stop praying and trusting the lord and don't also stop loving ,caring for the child.

DEEP CONCERN;Luke 15:20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. Although you might have been hurt by your child's act of rebellion,God wants you to have a deep concern for the child,if you hold on too God,one day your child will turn around for better,don't protect your feelings of hurt by hardening your heart against him.

HEARTFELT COMPASSION;Have compassion for your straying child,sometimes he may be in need of assistance from you.At such a time don't open up his messed -up life in his face and tell him off.it is time to show him heartfelt compassion as Jesus would do to any sinner who comes for help,do not hesitate to show him that you care.

AFFECTION ; besides making sure his needs are met ,also show him physical affection,let genuine love be reflected in all your action towards him.

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HUMILITY; this may be a hard one to do but don't be ashamed to identify with your child no matter how far he has deviated . stick close to him especially in times of dejection.

UNDESERVED GENEROSITY;be gracious unto your child,this doesn't rule out discipline,but let there be a noticeable balance between the two.let him know how gracious God is through your generosity towards him.

UNDESERVED ACCEPTANCE; it is very common with hurting parents to say 'I disown you' to their straying child,but this not what Jesus will say to any of his sheep that goes astray,rather he will would seek it until he finds because it is still his sheep. Prayerfully show your straying child undeserved acceptance and by the mercy of God,he will retrace his step back to God.

WAGES FOR THE PERSEVERING PARENT;In Ephesians 6:18,the word of God commands us to "Pray always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints."Prayer demands perseverance ,the determination to keep praying even when there seems to be no answer. The truth is,the answer always comes ,no matter how long it takes ,if you will preserve in prayer for your children like the prodigal son in Luke 15, God will restore them to himself and to you. He will not only save them from perishing but he will also help them gain a meaningful life again.They will become useful to themselves,to you and to God. Some of such children end up becoming great instruments in God's hand eventually. besides you will have joy and rest in your old age and above all ,you will have the blessed hope of seeing your children in heaven.

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