The Hardest Job in the World

Parenting is simultaneously one of the most rewarding and gut-wrenching experiences in life. Unlike other jobs where you have some measure of control, parenting involves making deposits into little human beings who will one day make their own choices - and that reality can be excruciating for any parent.

Why Is Parenting So Difficult?

The challenge of parenting lies in its unique nature. When you go to work, exercise, or manage finances, you maintain some level of control over the outcomes. But with parenting, you're investing in someone else's future decisions without any guarantee of the results.

What makes it even more challenging is that parenting happens at such a rapid pace. There's no time to pause and consult a manual when your child misbehaves or faces a crisis. You need wisdom and principles already embedded in your heart.

The Holy Calling of Christian Parenting

Your Children Are on Loan

As followers of Jesus, we must understand that our children aren't truly ours - they're on loan from God. Just as we'll give an account for how we've stewarded our money, we'll also give an account for how we've raised our children.

God isn't measuring our parenting success by whether our kids made the team, earned good grades, or had nice clothes. He's measuring one thing: were we faithful with what He gave us?

The Primary Purpose

If you believe your children were created in God's image to glorify Him and do good works, then your primary responsibility becomes pointing them toward their Creator. This doesn't mean neglecting their physical needs or education, but it does mean prioritizing their spiritual development above all else.

What Does the Bible Say About Parenting?

The Foundation: Deuteronomy 6:4-9

The Shema passage provides the blueprint for biblical parenting:

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children."

Notice the order: the commandments must first be on YOUR heart before you can impress them on your children. Kids don't care what comes out of your mouth if it's not backed up by how you live.

Constant Conversation

The passage instructs us to talk about God's ways "when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." This means spiritual conversations should be woven throughout daily life, not confined to formal Bible study times.

Balance in Discipline: Ephesians 6:1-4

While children are called to obey and honor their parents, fathers are warned not to exasperate their children. Instead, they should "bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord."

Don't tear down your children with unreasonable expectations or harsh treatment while simultaneously telling them about God's love. This creates confusion and frustration.

Practical Principles for Godly Parenting

1. Parenting Is a Calling, Not a Convenience

God didn't give you children to make you happy - He entrusted them to you to make them holy. We don't outsource discipleship; we must embody it ourselves.

The world says to let children find their own way, but God says to show them the way. You cannot parent based on what other parents are doing or whether your children like your decisions.

2. Lead with Love, Not Laziness

Godly parenting is active, not reactive. It requires consistency, love, and courage. In today's culture, you'll need courage to say no to things other parents allow and to defend principles others abandon.

Loving your child doesn't mean keeping them happy - it means keeping them healthy in heart and soul.

3. Focus on Stewardship, Not Ownership

You're not raising kids for the world to like; you're raising kids for God to use. While you can't control the outcomes, you can control your obedience to God's instructions for parenting.

Navigating Modern Challenges

The Technology Dilemma

Smartphones and social media have fundamentally changed parenting. What used to be a family computer in the living room is now a personal device in every pocket. This tool, while useful, can expose children to content they're not equipped to handle.

It takes courage to delay giving children access to technology, even when other parents don't share your concerns.

Standing Against Cultural Pressure

You cannot parent based on cultural norms or peer pressure. Your standard must be God's Word, not popular opinion or what seems convenient.

For Children: The Call to Honor

Obedience Brings Blessing

Scripture promises that honoring parents leads to blessing: "so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth." This isn't just about avoiding punishment - it's about positioning yourself for God's favor.

Understanding Your Parents' Heart

Your parents don't always get it right, but they're trying their best to point you toward God. When they say no to something you want or require something you don't want to do, they're often protecting you or teaching you God's ways.

For Adult Children: Honor Never Expires

The command to honor parents doesn't end at age 18. While the nature of obedience may change as you become an adult, the call to honor remains throughout life.

For Parents of Adult Children: Keep Praying

Don't disengage when your children leave home. While you may need to stop giving unsolicited advice, never stop praying for them. Ask God to bring a harvest from the seeds you planted during their childhood.

Scripture promises that when you "train up a child in the way he should go," they cannot escape the truth you've instilled in them, even if they temporarily walk away from it.

Life Application

This week, evaluate your parenting priorities. Are you making the most important thing - your children's relationship with God - the actual priority in your home? Or have you been distracted by secondary concerns like sports, academics, or social acceptance?

Questions for Reflection:

1. If God were to measure your parenting today, would He find you faithful to His calling, or would He find you focused on worldly success markers?

2. Are the commandments of God truly on your heart first, or are you trying to teach your children something you haven't fully embraced yourself?

3. What specific steps can you take this week to make spiritual conversations more natural and frequent in your home?

4. If you have adult children who aren't walking with God, are you actively praying for their return to faith, or have you passively accepted their choices?

The challenge is clear: parenting God's way is hard work, but it's holy work. The eternal impact of faithfully pointing your children toward their Creator far outweighs any temporary discomfort or cultural pushback you might face.