Most days I am fighting to make sure our kids have everything they need. I advocate for them in school, encourage their friendships, worry about their health, and pray for their future. However, I have been convicted lately I am not always fighting enough for them in the spiritual realm.
The enemy doesn’t want our children to be free, he wants them to feel anxious. He doesn’t want our families strengthened, but for us to feel fractured and frantic. The Lord has given us spiritual practices we can use to fight against what we can’t see. Here’s a list of some of my favorites.
See my kids as God does, forgive each other liberally, listen well. “When someone wrongs you, it is a great virtue to ignore it” (Proverbs 19:11, GNT). This works against the enemy’s desire to divide relationships, and cause conflict. If he can stir up trouble among my family and God’s greater family, then I spend my energy working against them, and not against him.
Take thoughts captive and focus on God, not my fear. “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you” (Isaiah 26:3, NIV). When I feel overcome with fear/anxiety, I stop bringing peace to my household rhythm, and instead succumb to negative patterns which create more problems. This is exactly what the enemy wants!
Know myself and my weakness, get accountability. “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7, NIV). I can have an appetite for the wrong things and wrong thinking. Having good friends, who ask hard questions, keeps me on the path to a healthy household.
Ask Him for His perspective. “The LORD is the one who is going ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not desert you or abandon you. Do not fear and do not be dismayed” (Deuteronomy 31:8, NASB). My job isn’t results, and my kids aren’t projects. I am to be obedient and leave the rest to Him. When we don’t see what we were hoping for, we have to believe God is in control and will use all things for His glory.
Test and approve. “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith…” (1 Peter 5:8-9, NIV). Satan is the father of lies and can make what is wrong seem right. He can impact our perception, entice lying, and foster hiding, trickery, cheating, fraud, duplicity, and deceit. It takes discernment to know the difference and I ask God regularly for this gift!
Teach my children to call on the name of Jesus. “But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one” (2 Thessalonians 3:3, NIV). God is our Shepherd, and He’s given us authority over our families. I can fight unseen forces with my spiritual declarations, and unabashedly teach my children to do the same. Kids can fight the enemy, too!
Remember who I am in Christ. “[God] forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion” (Psalm 103:3-4, NIV). I’ve been forgiven, and my identity is as His child. I am not what I’ve done or what has been done to me. When I confess my sins and fears to the Lord, shame dissipates. Satan has been trying since the beginning to separate us from each other and from God. It’s isolating, and debilitating, and I won’t allow it!
Sometimes, when we see an artist’s rendering of spiritual warfare, God is represented as the same size of Satan, however they are not the same size. Satan has to submit to the spiritual reality that he does NOT have God’s power. But God has given us access to it! As co-heirs with Christ, we can fight with confidence for ourselves and our children. When I feel the unseen pressure of an enemy offense, I say out loud, “Not today, Satan. You have no authority here.” Then I go about the business of mothering and surrendering with the superpower of God’s love.
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