How do I meet the needs of my children when I’m dealing with my own pain?

1 Kings 19:11-12“Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper.

When we are feeling overwhelmed, we need to take time out to be with our children. Learn together that calmness in the midst of chaotic circumstances is possible with God’s help. We should seize every small opportunity to slow down and listen for God’s gentle voice.

2 Timothy 1:5-7I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you. This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

Hebrews 12:15Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.

In the emotional upheaval that usually accompanies the breakup of a family, we need to be careful of our words, especially if there was a hurtful parting with an ex-spouse. By protecting our children’s ears and hearts, we will help their healing process.

Mark 4:39When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm.

It’s through life’s fiercest storms that we learn to rely fully on God. No matter how big the struggle, we must not let go of him. He is our lifeline to strength and hope.

John 1:11-12He [Jesus Christ] came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.

1 John 3:1-3See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him. Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure.

We and our children can benefit from the reminder that God single-parents us all. He gives us the privilege of calling him Father, and he calls us his children.