Comfort: Caringly responding to a hurting person through words, actions, emotional responses, and physical touch; hurting with and for others in the midst of their grief or pain. (Romans 12: 15 NASB; Matthew 5:4: 2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
“Mommmmeeeeee!!!!” You hear this cry from the other room as your sweet baby comes running towards you in tears. They get a little boo-boo and they look to you first for comfort. Or…”Daddy, I’m scared,” your child says as you are tucking him/her in bed at night. “Is there such thing as monsters? Will you make them go away?” (After all, they believe Daddy is a super-hero!) Your children seek your comfort because they know you love them! What better place to be, as a child who is hurt or afraid, than to be in your parent’s arms receiving comforting words and soothing hugs and kisses.
My 2 ½ year old grand-daughter was sick this past week. She needed a lot of comfort from her mommy and daddy. Her world was not normal, and she was feeling bad inside. One night my son said she woke up in the middle of night screaming. He ran into her room. She wanted to be held and for her daddy to pray to Jesus with her. At 2 ½ she knows Jesus would comfort her too!! That is all because of her parents’ influence. They taught her that she can go to Jesus for everything.
THREE SOURCES OF LIGHT – Help Us Experience Comfort
Light Source #1: Jesus is the Light of the World (John 8:12) Walking in the Light: Having a fresh encounter with Jesus. (Comfort)
Do your children know that they can receive comfort from Jesus? Do they see you going to Jesus on your own, or do you pray together for needs as a family? That is how young children learn that God will meet their need for comfort, as they see their two most important people, (mom and dad) going to God for comfort themselves.
What about your older and adult children? Do you invite them into God’s presence with you as a family for family needs? I will often text my adult kids and ask them to pray for something that their dad and I are praying about, just to invite them into God’s presence with us, and they do the same with us.
God’ heart is delighted when we come before his throne AS a family – FOR our family, don’t you think? From the time our children are babies, we can come to The Father together – leading the way for them to lead their families to Him one day.
Light Source #2: God’s Word is a lamp and a light, so walk in the light of frequent experiences of doing His Word. Psalm 119: 105
Let’s do: Deuteronomy 31:8 The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
What an incredible scripture to memorize and teach to our kids for comfort! Comfort in any situation – physical, spiritual or relational – God will be our comforter. Would you take the time to memorize this verse with your children this week? Talk to your children about what this verse could mean for them personally and then share what it means for you right now. (Maybe share a promise you are holding onto from this verse at the moment. Example: I hold onto this verse with my own children. I know that God is with them always and HE is the ONE who gives them comfort, help and protection. I can trust Him to keep this promise.)
I know that at times our children may have to suffer difficulties or hardships. Our prayers don’t insulate them from all harm. However, knowing that does not mean we don’t pray for them and with them for protection.
We are aware that God can and will use the good, as well as, the difficult situations in life to produce His best in us. This presents a tension for us to manage. Jesus told us that “in this world we will have tribulation”, but we can “be of good cheer” because He overcame the world.
This would be a great verse to pray with and over your child: :Before they leave for school on a big test day :Before a doctor’s appointment :When they start a new school or new school year :When they are worried about something :If they are having trouble making friends :If the are afraid of the dark :If they are doing something for the first time :Should there be academic, health, or relationship challenges
Etc……
Of course add in a time for appropriate touch and talk after you pray! 🙂 I am struck by the idea that children at any age or stage needs this kind of comforting prayer and interaction, especially when a parent listens well to their concerns.
Light Source #3: God’s people are sources of light so walk in real fellowship with your children/children of influence: “the light of the world.” Matthew 5:14
We have mentioned before that these relational principles not only work with our children but with other children in our lives who are not our own. (Grandkids, niece/nephew, neighbors, church kids, school etc…) We call these children, “children of influence”. Our children have an influence on others in their daily lives.
Yes, your children have kids that they have an influence on as well! What if we taught our kids to help comfort other kids if they should see the need? School, church, friends in their neighborhood, they are bound to come across a friend in need of comfort.
As your child memorizes Deuteronomy 31:8 and other scriptures on comfort would you explain that God can use them to bring comfort to their friends or siblings as well? Explain that as he/she learns to ask/receive comfort from God and from others who love them, they too can give that gift of comfort away to a friend.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
Would you imagine with me for a moment this beautiful mind picture?
A parent receiving comfort from The Lord, then giving comfort to a child – taking a child in prayer to ask Jesus to be his/her comfort, then teaching to the child to notice/give comfort to others, the child comforting a friend or sibling with the comfort they themselves received. What a beautiful picture of a full circle of a life that reflects Jesus. Will you be His Light?