How Faith Impacts Parenting: Finding Hope, Peace, and Connection

Parenting is a journey full of challenges, joys, and constant opportunities for growth. As parents, we often feel the pressure to be perfect and to shape our children into ideal individuals. Yet, the reality of our imperfections, paired with the struggles of raising imperfect children, can lead to frustration, power struggles, and emotional exhaustion. The good news is that faith—faith in God and in timeless truths—has the power to transform not just our parenting but also our hearts and homes.

When we let go of the need for perfection and embrace faith as a guiding principle, we can navigate parenting challenges with greater hope and peace. Faith helps us see situations differently, prepare our minds and hearts, and approach our children with calmness and connection. Let’s explore how faith impacts parenting, supported by biblical lessons, real-life stories, and practical guidance.

Faith Transforms Our Perspective

In 1 Kings 17, we read the story of a widow and her son who are preparing to eat their last meal and die. When the prophet Elijah asks them to have faith and share their food with him, they act on that faith despite their desperate circumstances. Because of their trust in God, their needs are miraculously met. Later, when the widow’s son falls gravely ill and dies, Elijah calls upon God to restore the child’s life. Once again, faith leads to a miraculous outcome.

This story illustrates a profound truth: faith changes how we see challenges. Instead of viewing problems through the lens of fear or scarcity, faith helps us see them as opportunities to grow, trust, and invite God’s help. In parenting, this shift in perspective is crucial. When we face defiance, disobedience, or family conflicts, we can either react emotionally or turn to God for strength and guidance. Faith empowers us to see our children’s struggles as part of their journey and our own, reminding us that God’s grace is sufficient for all of us.

Faith Requires Self-Government

One of the greatest challenges parents face is the desire for control—control over their children’s behavior, attitudes, and choices. However, true parenting success begins with controlling ourselves. Self-government, or the ability to regulate our emotions and actions, is a foundational skill for any parent. It is also an act of faith, as it requires us to trust that God’s principles will bear fruit in time, even when immediate results are not visible.

Rachel, a mother of five small children, experienced this transformation firsthand. She felt overwhelmed by her children’s disobedience and her husband’s lack of involvement. Initially, she sought quick fixes but found herself growing more frustrated and exhausted. When she discovered the principles of Teaching Self-Government, Rachel realized that she needed to prepare her heart and mind before she could effectively teach her children. By leaning on God’s strength and letting go of excuses, she gained the courage to change her perspective and approach. As Rachel became calmer and more consistent, her children responded positively, and peace began to return to her home.

Self-government allows us to remain calm during power struggles, avoid overreacting, and focus on teaching our children instead of controlling them. It also demonstrates faith in God’s ability to guide us and our children toward lasting change.

Faith Builds Connection

Connection is the heart of effective parenting. When our children feel loved, understood, and valued, they are more receptive to learning and growth. Faith strengthens this connection by reminding us of our divine role as parents and our children’s divine potential.

Consider the story of a father named James, who struggled to connect with his teenage son. Their relationship had become strained due to constant arguments and misunderstandings. James felt inadequate and began to believe that his son was simply rebellious. However, during a quiet moment of prayer, James felt inspired to see his son through God’s eyes. He realized that his son’s defiance was rooted in insecurity and a need for love. Armed with this new perspective, James began to focus on building their relationship through small, consistent acts of kindness, loving corrections, and honest communication. Over time, their bond strengthened, and James’s son became more willing to listen and change.

When we turn to God for help in our parenting, we often gain insights that we could not have discovered on our own. Faith helps us let go of harsh judgments and approach our children with empathy and compassion, creating a safe environment for growth.

Faith Inspires Action

Faith is not passive; it requires us to act, even when we cannot see the immediate results. In parenting, this means taking consistent steps to teach our children vital skills, such as problem-solving, accepting disappointment, and disagreeing appropriately. It also means preparing ourselves mentally and spiritually to face challenges with grace.

One mother, Laura, shared how faith inspired her to change her approach to discipline. She had been struggling with her daughter’s outbursts and felt tempted to give up. After reading about the self-government principle of pre-teaching, Laura decided to prepare her daughter in advance for situations that typically led to conflict. She also began praying for patience and wisdom before addressing difficult moments. The results were gradual but profound. Her daughter started responding more positively, and Laura felt a renewed sense of hope and purpose in her parenting.

Faith gives us the courage to keep going, even when change feels slow. It reminds us that every effort we make to teach, love, and connect with our children is part of a larger, divine plan.

Takeaways for Faith-Based Parenting

1. Focus on Your Own Growth: Before trying to change your children, work on governing your own emotions and actions. Pray for guidance and strength to model calmness and consistency.
2. Shift Your Perspective: See challenges as opportunities for growth, both for you and your children. Trust that God is aware of your struggles and will help you find solutions.
3. Build Connection: Look for ways to strengthen your relationship with your children through love, understanding, and empathy. Remember that connection paves the way for teaching and correction.
4. Prepare Your Heart and Mind: Before addressing a difficult situation, take time to pray, reflect, and align your heart with God’s will. This preparation will help you approach challenges with wisdom and patience.
5. Act in Faith: Take consistent, small steps to teach your children vital skills. Trust that these efforts will bear fruit in time, even if results are not immediate.

Conclusion

Parenting is not about achieving perfection—it is about progressing together as a family. When we approach parenting with faith, we invite God to be an active participant in our journey. Faith transforms our perspective, strengthens our connection with our children, and inspires us to act with hope and courage. As we rely on God’s grace and practice self-government, we become better equipped to guide our children toward truth, love, and lasting change. Let us embrace the journey of parenting with faith, knowing that with God, all things are possible.

This video will teach you some of the vital skills and principles of Teaching Self-Government.