“You have been my hope, O Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth” (Psalm 71:5).
“The Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared” (Proverbs 3:26).
If our children are confident, they will be happy, successful and free from fear. How can we give our children confidence?
At a conference, a concerned parent asked Dr. James Dobson, a child and family specialist, this same question. He said: “In an age where everyone is concerned that children have good self-esteem, what is the most important value we can instill in our children?”
Dr. Dobson answered the most valuable contribution a parent could make to the growth of self-esteem in their child was to help him or her develop a genuine faith in God.
There is no greater confidence builder than to realize the Creator of the universe knows us personally. God values a child more than all the material possessions in the world. God understands a child’s fears and weaknesses. God reaches out to children when no one else does. God’s only Son, Jesus, gave His life for them. A better life follows this earthly one. Your children will be with God the Father forever.
If you can help your children know and believe these Things—really know and believe them—you can give your children a basis for hope and encouragement that will last the rest of their lives.
Kimberly Snider is a missionary to the Philippines.
From “Moments for Moms,” a free email subscription.
Copyright (c) 2005 Women’s Ministries of the Assemblies of God.
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