Praise, Prayer And Pain

"But Mom, that's not right! But Dad, that's just not fair! How can I have faith in a God who let's life get so unfair! If He has true, omnipotent power then I blame Him for all the problems and unfairness I see."

Sound familiar? Young people often focus on issues of fairness to the exclusion of dealing (practically and emotionally) with them.

Your children need balance! Balance in understanding life's highs and lows is a necessary part of our faith. Accepting the realities of praise and pain is a vital portion of mature Christianity.

Unfortunately, modern culture is misleading your children to believe that life is all wrong if they are not laughing. The church equivalent is the belief that religious life is all wrong if there is any sorrow, challenge or unexplained suffering.

In today's church there are even adults who seem to believe that Christianity is the road to bliss on earth. They reason (wrongly) that if life is not a currently exciting void of suffering then something is wrong.

Where shall we find balance? What shall be our source of harmonizing truth? Let's try the Bible; not merely in philosophical ideas but in practical application of daily life.

A Necessary Lifestyle

Absolutely nothing can replace a mom or dad who reads the Bible. As your son or daughter faces honestly the challenges of life, give them Bible answers to daily difficulties. If you can't find them, make you preacher earn his keep by searching with you.

For instance, when children face rejection, read the story of Joseph. Help them, by the eye of faith, spend time with Joseph in the prison cell in Egypt. Help them learn not merely from the victory of Joseph's vice-presidency, but also from his faithfulness while in a dungeon. (Read Genesis 39.)

Educate them. Don't wait for a Bible class teacher to teach them about life. Teachers are a great blessing, but God calls you, as a parent to "bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." (Read Ephesians 6:1-4.)

Take them to the cave with a future king. Show them the inspiring story of David, who refused to harm God's appointed king (Saul) even though Saul king was trying to kill him. Tell them how God blesses faithfulness and inspire them with a challenge to rise above the world's revenge and seek God's blessings. (Read I Samuel 24.)

Show them God's love for a man who has made a bad mistake (Jonah chapters one and two), God's love for the lost (Jonah chapter 3) and God's love and compassion for all (Jonah chapter 4).

Sing with the children! That's right, sing with them. Sing their favorite hymns, sing Scriptures, sing of joy and sing of faithfulness in time of challenge. Sing with them songs of deliverance for sin or sorrow (Amazing Grace is a great place to start). A life that knows not how to sing songs of sorrow or songs of deliverance in more spoiled than spiritual.

Model for them that one who is faithful only in good times is not living as a Christian. (Read I Corinthians 11).

Make a ritual of reading Hebrews 11 (the "hall of faith") on a regular basis and verbally praise the faithful ones of that chapter. Children imitate what their parents praise! Show them the great joy that awaits those who put God first, no matter that present circumstances. Memorize with them these words from Psalm 30:5 "... weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning."

Live that reality in your daily life and give the kids a good-natured and inspiring personal challenge to do the same.

Ray Wallace
Dahlia Street church of Christ
1100 Dahlia Street
Denver, Colorado 80220
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