Disgusted, perplexed, fed up, heartsick and fearful are all words I’ve heard to describe the current events of our nation and world. It’s enough to want to go live on another planet! It can make our roles as Christ-following parents and grandparents more difficult as we try to navigate our young ones through this turmoil. We have a choice to either use this as an opportunity to share our faith in Jesus or get caught up in the whirlwind of negative reactions. Here are some thoughts to consider:
There is nothing new under the sun! Jesus made statements like: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (Jn. 16:33). Sit with your family often and share your faith in the Prince of Peace. They need to hear about Him more than about politicians or terrorist.
Live as children of Light (Ephesians 5:8; Jn. 8:12; Mt. 5:14) and when we do, the darkness cannot consume us. “. . .’I have made you a light for the nations so that you would save people all over the world'” (Acts 13:47). We must make sure that our attitudes and talk about events reflect Light to our family and not the darkness. When we are filled with His Light, the world will be a better place.
Keep strong for your family so that they see the strength of the Lord in you. Jesus knows what it’s like to endure hostility: “Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted” (Heb. 12:3). Yet we know he endured personal hostility by not retaliating but entrusting himself to a just Judge (1 Peter 2:21-23). Make your presence with your family one of safety: in word and action.
Show courage because we are citizens of a better place (Phil. 3:20). The highest compliment any of us can have from our family would be what was said about Peter and John when the people saw their courage and they “took note that these men had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13). In our current events discussions, can our families say that about us?
You and I can live through these days with our families and either use them for an opportunity to share our hope and trust in God, or pass that opportunity and be drawn into the mind of the world. To miss this opportunity is to miss a teaching moment of the greatness of our God and the commitment of our faith. Families: take the opportunity.