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Dealing with trials is no new fear for Christian believers.
Nourishing our faith walk is a necessity throughout our lives in order to keep strong. We need to have a readiness about us to defend our faith in Jesus.
What happens when a child is bombarded with worldly ideas and trials when they are just learning to hold fast to the truth? How do we gently encourage them in the middle of trying times and disappointments in our increasingly secular world?
Something that we really need to focus on as we disciple and mentor young minds is to look at how steady we are in our own faith. We need to set the example for these children and teens to follow.
Allowing for children in our lives to observe us in The Word, prayer, and worship on a daily basis will provide a solid foundation that they can rely on. We can show them an unshakable faith for them to follow.
Psalms 62:5-6 NIV
Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
When they see us being intentional in our faith through our own trials, they can hopefully seek out the same that we have in the Lord and His faithfulness to us.
We also need to be compassionate and be able to relate to the children that we are discipling. Some may say that we cannot possibly understand what they are going through because of our age, different types of bullying, media options, and politics. These things may have different labels upon them, or may come in different forms, but we need to remind them that there is nothing new under the sun. All of the abuses that they encounter we faced in various ways throughout our lives and generations.
This is when we can walk them though our own testimonies. We need to be prepared with a possible watered down version depending on their age and level of maturity, but leave the door open for further engagement as they get older. Create a space to talk about how we have dealt with similar situations that they do even if they look different.
Open dialogue at their level is important. We must try to refrain from any condescending spirit towards them and establish trust. In that trust, we also need to extend grace over their situations.
Ultimately, we need to offer them some relatable and relevant Scripture that speaks to their hearts as children. Show God's loving mercy, guidance, and protection through your encouragement and His Word. Ask them how they can apply the message from the Bible to their situations and ask them how they will use it going forward.
Here are some encouraging Scripture verses to share with those children going through trials:
Psalm 31:24 NIV
Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.
Psalm 33:18
But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love
Psalm 39:7
But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.
Psalm 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
Psalm 71:5
For you have been my hope, Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth.
Psalm 119:114
You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.
Psalm 147:3
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Matthew 5:4
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
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.
We can and should disciple a child through hard times. Having a Godly mentor is taking the child's best interest at hand. Children need to see our hearts and that we are also children of God. Be present for them.
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