“Son though He was, He learned obedience from what He suffered.” (Hebrews 5:8)
My wife and I were “Helicopter Parents.” Having a child of the Millennial Generation, like so many parents of our time, we hovered over our Millennial child, raising her carefully with much involvement in her life.
In the book “The Millennials” by Thom S. Rainer, and Jess W. Rainer, we are described quite well, as are the Millennial kids. In general the parents of Millennial children stay heavily involved in their lives well into adulthood, and the children want it that way.
The problem is, we were never meant to continue parenting these kids well into adulthood. Though we are always their parents, and they are always our kids, somewhere along the line we need to turn the parenting job over to God, because parenting adults is God’s job, not ours. As much as we might like at times to bring them home, send them to their room, ground them, guide them, and correct them, at a certain point in our lives and their lives we need to leave the correction and discipline in God’s capable hands.
Recently I was talking on the phone with my mother and she said something that struck me as a bit comical. She told me that only now, well into her sixties, has she finally begun to “grow up.” And I think it is true that throughout our lives, well into our adult years, we continue to “grow up”, to learn, grow in wisdom, grow by experience and by added knowledge. Sometimes God still corrects us when we get off track; He still teaches us the things we need to know to live good lives, the education never quite ends.
When we are afflicted it is tempting to think that God is correcting us for some perceived failing. But the fact is we often suffer for no other reason than that we live on this earth in frail bodies subject to pain and suffering. Nevertheless, God can teach us, and we can “grow up” through our suffering and hardship. We can gain wisdom and insight from the terrible events and difficult paths in our lives. When we have traveled the road of suffering we can help others along the way, and act as guides through the path of hardship.
God is our eternal parent no matter what our age. And we all have to “grow up”, some sooner, others later in life. But it is encouraging to know we have a loving Father who watches over us and guides us throughout our lives, and it is particularly wonderful to know this truth as we travel the path of affliction and hardship.
Whether you are a grown up, or a child when it comes to affliction, know that your heavenly Father is with you, watching over you, and willing to help you along the difficult paths you face in life. Do not despair, and do not be discouraged, whether sixteen or sixty there is a Father who loves and cares for you. Allow Him to direct and strengthen you as you continue to “grow up”.
Prayer: Dear Lord, as parents and children we face many challenges. And when we walk the path of affliction, it is then that we especially need Your
guidance. Amen.
About the Author:
Karlton Douglas lives in Ohio with his lovely wife. He has found that the only thing more difficult than being a parent is “growing up” as an adult.
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Do you find that it is sometimes difficult to “grow up”, especially while facing affliction? Have you considered that God is Your Father, always watching over you, and ready to guide you?
Karlton, how very relevant all this is…in the natural…as we do have an “empty nest”…and the spiritual in all of us regarding our personal walks with Christ. Honestly, I’m not sure I would have come to know so deeply that God is truly watching and caring if I had not been on this journey. It’s no secret that chronic illness and the issues that surround it can bring us to places we never would have thought of travelling in our walks with Christ. It isn’t easy, but what it brings about in the end result is something we might never have had otherwise.
It’s my prayer that we have the deep encouragement inside our hearts of the perfect Father hovering over us in His love, very much involved in and caring about our lives and all that concerns us. It’s a blessing to know that unlike earthly children, we will never outgrow His “Parental” care. God bless and thank you for this beautiful encouragement! BeBe 🙂
Thank you for sharing your thoughts BeBe 🙂
Blessings.
Karlton
Karlton,
Once again, you have written a great devotion. I have two sons that are in their 30’s. I live nearby and am involved in their lives quite a bit, mainly due to grandchildren. My sons drink a lot and it hurts so much to watch the changes in their lives due to the drinking and consequences. I grew up with alcoholic parents so it is a double whammy for me and my heart wants to get them to stop. I need to step away yet to still maintain a healthy distance. It’s so hard. But thanks for your words of encouragement.
Peggy
Peggy, my dad was an alcoholic, and few things are as damaging as that diease, it affects everyone around them. I pray your sons can stay free of the alcohol for their sakes and for the good of the family.
I told my wife that raising our daughter was the easy part, it is seeing her mature as an adult that is the tough part.
Blessings.
Karlton
Interesting devotion Karlton.
Since being sick I reckon I’ve become more of a child in my relationship to my Abba Father. On my really tough days I picture myself as a little girl climbing onto Jesus’ knee to be hugged, loved, rocked & sung to. It is at those times that I feel really close to Him & at peace. I’m finding it hard to write what I’m trying to say, but through those times in my illness I’ve “grown up” more in my faith than ever before & it’s been through being like a little child!! Trusting, loving & giving while removing pride, doubt, self-consciousness & fear. Not sure if that makes sense?! Thanks again. Lotsoluv Kerryn
“When we are afflicted it is tempting to think that God is correcting us for some perceived failing. But the fact is we often suffer for no other reason than that we live on this earth in frail bodies subject to pain and suffering. Nevertheless, God can teach us, and we can “grow up” through our suffering and hardship. We can gain wisdom and insight from the terrible events and difficult paths in our lives. When we have traveled the road of suffering we can help others along the way, and act as guides through the path of hardship.”
I couldn’t have said this better myself! I know many people who have said that my illness and lack of healing are because I have “not claimed God’s promises” that are in the Bible. Well, while yes Is. 53: 5 says “by His stripes we are healed.” it does NIT say WHEN we will be healed. The only place that the when of healing is guaranteed is in Rev. 21:4 and in Rev. 22:2-3a.
I am appalled at how many people are quick to tell me that I just need stronger faith or to pray harder or more, and claim the promises of the Bible. Well, they do not know me so how they presume to know the strength of my faith or content of my prayers is beyond me. I’d feel different if it were someone close to me saying that, but when it is a stranger or even an acquaintance it is just rude, to me anyway, to presume you know the state of another’s faith or prayer life. I am a firm believer God COULD heal me at any moment, but WILL He, no, not until the time is right in HIS timing and not until it is HIS will not MY will or the will of the person who presumes to know the state of my faith.
I believe God has a plan to use my journey with health issues to help someone else so who am I to ask Him to heal me NOW? And just as Paul did not receive the healing from the thorn in his side in 2 Cor 12:7-10, because as God told him, “My grace is sufficient for you….and My strength is made perfect in weakness.” And Paul goes on to say he will take pleasure in infirmities, reproaches, etc. I hope to be able to take pleasure in whatever I’ve been given so that God’s grace can be shown to someone who may not otherwise see it.
Thanks Kerryn! I’ve sometimes felt childlike, but other times childish, throwing a tantrum over some new affliction or frustration, but hopefully, in the end I am growing more mature through these afflictions 🙂
Blessings.
Karlton
Thanks Wayney! I think Isa 53 is an often misused bible verse. Through Christ we are all spiritually healed, receiving a new heart, mind, spirit from Christ, regenerated on the inside. Romans chapter 8 describes how we are still waiting for the redemption of our bodies so that we will have a supernatural body to match our new spirit. Of course God does heal, work miracles, and does amazing things in our lives, but few scriptures have been abused as badly as any and all verses related to healing, in my view.
Much of what is passed off as ‘biblical’ is just positive thinking wrapped in religion. I happen to like positive thinking, but I don’t want to substitute it for scriptural authority. Jesus suffered on the cross, Paul suffered many horrible things, many of the Apostles were martyred. Measure anything and everything supposed spiritual gurus say by the word of God. We were never promised heaven on earth, though we are blessed as God’s children.
Blessings.
Karlton
You are so correct! I know so many people have those rose colored glasses on about things that are as you said, positive thinking wrapped in religion. I am working through some studies on suffering and it’s so amazing how God uses the suffering of people to bring about good. In addition to Rom 8 discussing how our bodies await redemption, in 1 Cor. 15: 42-44 (NKJV) it says, “42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. 43 It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. 44 It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.” In the MacArthur Study Bible the notes for this passage say, “Focusing directly on the resurrection body, Paul gives 4 sets of contrasts to show how the new body will differ from the present ones: 1)no more sickness and death (“corruption”); 2) no more shame because of sin (“dishonor); 3)no more frailty in temptation (“weakness”); and 4) no more limits to the time/space sphere (“natural”). Then he goes on to tell of our coming victory over death. He thanks God for our victory through Jesus (v57 – one of my fave vv) and ends with a reminder to “be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” In the end, we will be given the physical healing to go with the spiritual healing.
How people misuse and misquote the Bible is a personal pet peeve of mine. The one thing, aside from the healing issue, that gets me is how people say “Oh God won’t give you more than you can handle.” and the Bible says that NOWHERE! What is says is we God will not let us be TEMPTED more than we are able and with that will give us an escape from the temptation so that we can bear it. (1Cor 10:13)
People can so twist the Bible to make it say so many things that are untrue. And yet because all too many people see the Bible as a hard to understand, old, dusty, dry book, they believe what they are told rather than looking things up for themselves. And in so doing, they shortchange God and themselves because they are not learning the truth. But unless they have a desire to truly learn and experience the dynamic, living Bible for themselves, they cannot be forced into doing so. Even trying too hard to convince them is a good way to turn them away, they will simply not be open to learning unless they have been given that desire from God.
Wayney, very well said 🙂 I think God gives us what we can handle, but only through His power working through us, only by His grace, the caveat about what we can handle is through His power, without Him we can do nothing and can endure nothing. He gives us what we can’t handle on our own 🙂
Blessings.
Karlton