When I struggle as a parent it usually results in a difficult mess. If you have ever had children, I believe there are times when you struggle. When children are infants and cry for various reasons it can exhaust your patience. As children grow older there are other issues that present themselves that will test your ability to parent. It would be wonderful if kids were model citizens from the time they were born until they move away from home, but this is not reality.
Jacob had four wives and multiple children from each one which created a perfect storm for parenting and relational issues. Jacob had twelve sons and showed favoritism toward Joseph by making him a beautiful robe. This favoritism poured fuel on an already burning fire.
Genesis 37:3 Jacob loved Joseph more than any of his other children because Joseph had been born to him in his old age. So one day Jacob had a special gift made for Joseph—a beautiful robe. 4 But his brothers hated Joseph because their father loved him more than the rest of them. They couldn’t say a kind word to him. [1] What could Jacob have done differently?
Turn to the Lord with Parenting Problems
In the middle of any problems, even parenting, the Lord is only a prayer away. We can always ask Him what we should do in our situation. The Lord knows exactly what going on in your life and is not surprised when you ask Him for help.
The Lord loves to speak to His children to give them wisdom and peace. James 1:5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.[2] The Lord wants to give you wisdom and put your struggles into perspective. Prayer is the most important part of moving forward as a struggling parent. The Lord is on your side and wants to help you and your child.
Seek Wise Counsel of Others in Your Struggles
Proverbs 11:14Without wise leadership, a nation falls; there is safety in having many advisers. [3] I maybe overwhelmed by myself, but when others enter the situation, I don’t feel so isolated and alone. Galatians 6:2 Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.[4] When I struggle as a parent, it can be frustrating. To hear how to counter this, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/god-has-more-dreams-for-joseph
[1-4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.