The word ‘anxiety’ is born when a man or woman becomes parents. None in this world has got exception from the worries and anxieties. The most wonderful parents, the all time role models, also felt the same. The earthly parents of heavenly God could experience the ever heart breaking worries.
As a parent, when we feel worry and anxiety, do remember Mother May and Joseph. From their life, we can adapt some ideas to overcome our anxiety in our children. Here are some tips to overcome and get rid of worries.
1. All the Parents Worry
We can see an apt example in the scriptures for the worry of Mary and Joseph. The incident happened when Jesus and His parents went to Jerusalem for the feast when he was twelve years old. While returning Mary and Joseph did not know Jesus was not with them. They journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives. But not found. After three days they found him in the temple. Then Mother Mary said to Him, “son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.”(Luke 2: 41-52)
Here the word ‘anxiety’ is used at its utmost level. The word itself meant depth. We have to find a healthy amount of this anxiety. When we are more anxious on any matters, we turn to God and seek wisdom to resolve it. We pray intensively for His guidance and protection. Whenever the anxious parent awakes in you cast everything on Him. Definitely God will provide the true wisdom and knowledge to be a better parent.
2. Mistakes can Happen
Mary was immaculate. But in her life also we can see a mistake done as a parent. Both Mary and Joseph had to make sure that their kid was with them before they returned. But they did not. It was not a great sin. It can be considered as an accident, or miscommunication.
Here we have to know and analyze the situation as parents, we make mistakes all the time. The problematic life may lead us to some other areas, so we may forget, knowingly or unknowingly, to take care of our child. Don’t beat yourself for this matter because it can happen. The only thing you have to realize is where you went wrong. Then just correct the situation. Find perfection in your imperfections. Understand, as a parent you may not do anything harm to your children. If anything has happened, it’s only because you are a simple human being.
3. Listen to your Children
It is astonishing that Mary and Joseph could listen to Jesus in the temple when they found him. This is the simple way we too can adapt from their lives. Normally most of the children are saying parents do not let them say, or they won’t like to listen to them.
Here is the best tip from the parents of Jesus, we can achieve, take a moment to let your children speak and really listen to them before you respond in anger.
4. Respect your Child’s Personality
We need to allow our children to grow up with their God given talents. Do not mould them according to our desires and selfishness. They are from God, so respect them and their inborn capacities and capabilities. The Bible says Mary and Joseph listened to what Jesus said, but didn’t fully understand. We may not understand our child’s choices and likes all the time. But try to foster the God in them and let them select their ways always. The parents should act as the facilitator as long as our children glorify God in what they do.
5. We have a Sovereign God
Until Mary and Joseph found Jesus, the parents both didn’t know where he was and what he was doing. But God knew exactly where he was and what he was doing.
The parents must ensure and believe that God, the creator, always watches us. We have assigned God to protect and save them from all the evils. If we believe in His protection, then why do you worry about your kids even if they are far away from us?
Entrust our children to God in the same way that Mary and Joseph did, we will not fail.