Where Does a Christian Parent Find Satisfaction?

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. (Romans 8:28–29)

Today’s big question: where does a Christian parent find satisfaction?

Parenting is a tough job. Don't let anyone ever tell you differently. Every parent struggles at times, even though cherishing the good times. We all encounter stressful times, as our children disobey, make bad decisions, get hurt, struggle, and take all the knocks that come with being a fallen human. We strive to guide them through the battlefield of life and equip them for adulthood, dreaming of a day when our children might acknowledge we actually did a pretty good job. Yes, it’s true; we all want to succeed. We all want to see our children grow up to be what we dreamed they would be: God honoring adults.

Sadly, even as we strive to raise godly children, it’s easy to focus our desires in the wrong place. Today’s verse contains vital truths that all Christians must remember in every activity. Our first duty as parents is to seek the good God wants. We are created to glorify God, and we should glorify him in all things. This is a foundational truth for every Christian parent. This principle is important when considering Paul’s words to the Romans. He revealed that as Christians, all things work together for good to those who are called to be conformed to the image of God’s Son.

Every Christian in every duty should be focused on the one main aim that underlies every other aim in every other activity: We are called to be conformed to the image of God’s Son. Therefore, we must realize that how we look as parents is not important. What is always important is being conformed to Christ’s image. The main aim in every parental duty is to be more like Christ. To love Christ and be content in Christ helps us as parents deal with the heart-wrenching situations of parenthood. This is because our satisfaction in life rests in our Savior first, and not in our children.

The good and hard times of parenting “work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren” (Romans 8:28–29). Parenting starts with personal sanctification—becoming more like Christ.

Today’s big idea: parents must find contentment in Christ, not children.

What to pray: pray that your dedication is first to Christ first before your family.