What Are Your Children Learning about Trusting God in a Crisis?

While the effects may strike differently based on one’s occupation or geographical location, all of us are affected in some way. But chances are, this current state of affairs isn’t the first crisis your family has had to face. Perhaps your family has felt the impact of:

• A job loss
• A freak accident
• An unexpected illness or death
• Other changes in home life which have radically altered your daily routines

And our children are not exempt. They too are bearing the weight of this predicament. In one fell swoop they’ve said goodbye to their teachers, have been isolated from classmates, have ended track, basketball, and church attendance. Maybe it’s been challenging for you but it's certainly been disruptive to our children.

So what are your children learning about trusting God in a crisis? They are learning by what they see and they are learning from what they hear. As a result, parents must be purposeful in modeling how we want our children to handle crises. 

“Kids are like a mirror, what they see and hear they do. Be a good reflection for them” (Kevin Heath, Founder of More4Kids).

Children are expert imitators. They have a keen ability to pick up on our emotions and behaviors, so now more than ever, we’ve been presented with an opportunity to put our faith on full display. Let them see, let them hear and let us teach them who God truly is in our lives.

Photo Credit: © Getty Images/fizkes

One thing we know for sure is that trials and tribulations will eventually show up on our doorstep. Jesus Himself tells us this. “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 ESV). In knowing that we will face difficulties, we have to be intentional about letting children see our faith in action. Let them see us being still, not giving way to the mass hysteria of panic and hoarding but of knowing He is God (Psalm 46:10).

Let them see us fall prostrate in prayer. And don’t just let them see you praying, but invite them to join in as we pray for the sick, the healthcare workers, the homeless, the prisoners who cannot socially distance themselves, the emergency personnel, the grocery store clerks dealing with irate customers. Your children will be active participants in the prayers of the righteous availing much (James 5:16). Let them see your resolve to stand firm in your faith; that God is who He says He is and will do what He says He will do.

My children had an opportunity to see me put my faith and hope in God into practice. I live in a part of the United States with the 2nd worst traffic in the country. At 5:30pm, during the height of rush hour traffic my car literally died. I was driving on a crowded highway in bumper to bumper traffic when my steering wheel locked and my car began to lose acceleration with four of my six children in tow. Every light on the dashboard flashed then nothing. Nothing about the car functioned any longer, no steering, no power not even the brakes. With faith in action, I said softly, “Lord Jesus help!” My teenage son was sitting up front with me and he said, “Mommy you can do this!” I turned my wheel as hard as I could and by God’s grace we drifted to the breakdown lane where I grabbed the emergency brake and we came to a stop. They saw that day my belief that God would protect us, and we all saw God do just that.

Photo Credit: © Getty Images

Our trust and faith in God is strengthened by what we hear (Romans 10:17). Not only in times of calamity but in everyday life, children need to hear about the wonder-working, praise worthy power of God. The bible implores us to tell them of His deeds (Psalms 78:4). Share with your children examples from the Word on how God has been a Healer, a Deliverer, and a Refuge. Let them hear you pray Psalm 91 over your household. Let them hear you call on Jehovah Jireh your Provider. Let them hear you thank el-Shaddai, God Almighty who holds everything in His hands.

Photo Credit: © Getty Images

As many in this Nation are now faced with home educating our children, in the midst of the academic training, let us not forsake teaching them to trust God through teaching of His Word. Teach them how a young David stood courageous in the face of a giant. Teach them of the prophet Samuel who obediently listened and heard the word of the Lord and declared it even from a young age. Teach them that from everlasting to everlasting, God’s love is with them (Psalm 103:17).

So I was curious to find out what I had been teaching my children about how to handle a crisis so I asked them, “How can you trust God with all that’s going on in the world right now?” And I must say I was a bit surprised at their responses. As a parent you hope and pray that what your teaching is falling on good ground, but somedays you may doubt because kids are kids. Sometimes they act like they aren’t listening. And sometimes they disobey. And sometimes they are playing during evening devotions (does that ever happen in your house?). But here’s what my a few of my children had to say:

“I cast my cares on Him. I give Him what’s bothering me so I don’t have to worry about it. You know Mommy that verse about Jesus’ burden is light.” - S. age 14

“He hides me under His wing. Oh yeah and His blood covers me like when they put the blood on the doorpost.” - E. age 9

“God loves me.” - J. age 7

Our children see, they hear and they are being taught. It brings to mind one of America’s most memorable television commercials from the 1980’s. It was an anti-drug public service announcement called “Like Father, Like Son.” In the commercial the father wants to know why the child was in possession of drugs and the child exclaims, “I learned it by watching you!” With our actions and reactions, we demonstrate how to handle a crisis.

So what will we show our children during this time of crisis? Trust or skepticism? Fear or faith? Let them see, let them hear, and let us teach them to trust God. Let us model for them that in a crisis, Christ is the answer.

Tyra Lane-Kingsland is a speaker, Women’s Ministry Director and author of the book Purposeful Parenting. She enjoys facilitating the classes she’s developed on parenting and Health & Wellness. It is her assertion that health is wealth and believes that optimal health is achieved through proper nourishment, rest and exercise. Tyra is an attentive wife and mother of six. Knowing that God causes all things to work together for good, she is on a passionate pursuit to see women inspired to live fully!

Photo Credit: © Getty Images/digitalskillet