Every parent must listen to this episode, including the Dads. Our efforts are to demystify why kids from Christian homes so often launch as non-believers and this episode is a crucial one. Every person will inevitably face trials and it’s in those trials our faith in God is tested.

That’s why it’s vital not to rob your kids of the faith growing experiences of knowing what the challenges are. Don’t buy into the belief that we should “let kids be kids,” shielding them from the realities of life.

Isaac and Angie share their story of seemingly insurmountable trials in the last few years involving miscarriage, Angie almost dying, business failure, and God’s miraculous answers to prayers. They share how they included their kids in the faith journey strengthening everyone along the way.

Key Takeaways From This Episode

• Be real with your kids; it’s vital to prepare them for an uncertain world.
• It takes courage to be real, as people naturally tend to share less when they’re in trials.
• Don’t rob your kids from the experience of trusting God through trials and the fruit on the other side of that. This is the safest way for them to learn.
• Have grace and understanding for your kid’s struggles, even though they seem small to you, they are likely big to them.
• Don’t shield your kids from the truth that could strengthen their faith and trust in God.
• Show your kids how to walk through a trial by your example of fearing the Lord vs. fearing the circumstances.
• Kids know when something is going wrong even if you don’t tell them. They may mistakenly take it personally because you’re not sharing with them.
• The enemy doesn’t waste his time on someone who isn’t a threat to his agenda.
• There are highs and lows in life. How you handle the lows, largely determines what the next high looks like.
• You want to experientially train your kids how to handle the lows Biblically while they are in your home.
• Teach your kids WHY you are sharing the trials with them.
• Your relationship with God should grow in this time and your kids should witness that and also grow.
• If you don’t share what’s happening, it might be because you are fearful or insecure because you’re not trusting God.
• If there is no God in the equation it can be scary for your kids, but if they believe in God and see you trusting Him in action then it can be a signature experience for them.
• Sometimes we might just need to have faith like our kids. Your children will surprise and even challenge you by the strength of their faith.
• A lot of times people look at the Instagram profiles and compare their realities to other peoples highlights.
• If you are struggling with the comparison trap, JUST STOP IT!
• Be spiritually mature and choose to glorify God in and through your trials.
• What kids end up actually doing is often what they see modeled. Show them how to walk through the valleys of life worshipping and praising God with unwavering faith.
• Your kids will face challenges; will they respond Biblically because of what they saw you do?
• He wants to refine us so we are more useful for His kingdom.
• Pray with your kids about the challenges.
• Acknowledge God with your kids when he answers your prayers. Don’t take the credit.
• If you are taking the credit for answered prayer, it may prove to your children that you didn’t really have faith in the first place when you prayed.
• Confess your mistakes, learn, and share so your kids can learn from your mistakes.
• Share the why’s behind the sacrifices, otherwise it can create fear.
• Lack of knowledge with your weird responses creates more fear than the truth.
• Make sure you have a strong community around you so when the trials hit, you have real support and your children can experience the power of the Body of Christ.

Scriptures From This Episode

Hebrews 12:3-4: “For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.”

1 Peter 4:12: “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;”

Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Nehemiah 8:10: “…Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Jeremiah 17:7-8: “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
And whose hope is the Lord.
For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters,
Which spreads out its roots by the river,
And will not fear when heat comes;
But its leaf will be green,
And will not be anxious in the year of drought,
Nor will cease from yielding fruit.”

Romans 5:35: “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

Philippians 4:6: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;”

Isaiah 41:10: “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

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