Written by Dr. Kyle Barrett, Director of Spiritual Formation

I’ll never forget welcoming our oldest child into the world. She was born at 4am on a Sunday after my wife had labored off and (mostly) on since Friday evening. I remember well the exhaustion that set in after the adrenaline had worn off.

At this point the mom’s out there are probably saying, “Cry me a river!” and rightfully so. But, for many of us, it’s not the physical exhaustion of parenting but the emotional and spiritual exhaustion which takes its toll on us. We need rest but it’s never just about a good night’s sleep. It’s about our souls resting in deep truths which help settle us.

I hope two promises God has made will help you as you seek to rest and parent well. First, God is with you as you parent. Isaiah 41:10 says, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” The good news in parenting is that we aren’t doing it alone. God is with us!

The second promise is found in Romans 8:31. Paul says, “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” This promise doesn’t mean that we won’t face challenges or trials. But, it does mean that God is for us even in those trials.

Tripp says, “It’s only ever rest in God’s presence and grace that will make you a joyful and patient parenting.” Let’s rest in the reality that God is with us and for us as we parent our children!

I hope you’ll grab a copy of Paul Tripp’s book, Parenting: 14 Gospel Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family (HERE).