It has undoubtedly been a challenging few months!
The pandemic’s disruption has caused every member of our family to make some new and unwanted changes to the normalcy of their lives.
Yes, those changes have caused disruption and disappointments. However, what we’re too often hearing parents communicate, either verbally or through their social media posts, is that these challenging days have made all of us become victims.
Moms and dads, be careful how you talk about the challenges that your family is facing! We’ve experienced a stretching and even squeezing time because of Covid-19; however, it is the rare person who has become a victim because of the pandemic.
We are not victims, but if our children hear us use “victim speak” to describe the activities they’ve missed, they will begin to believe that they have indeed been victimized. When we call the disappointments that they’ve faced “suffering” or “sacrifice,” we give them a distorted picture of real suffering and sacrifice.
Have the missed social opportunities, sporting events, and milestone celebrations been sad losses? Absolutely! But to place our temporary disappointments in the same category with real suffering and sacrifice gives those disappointments emotional power that they just don’t deserve.
We are more than overcomers through Christ!
Don’t let carelessly chosen words convince your children of anything else. Remind them of just how blessed they truly are and find practical ways to help those who are less fortunate than your family.
Want to learn more about this subject? Click the link below for this week’s Thrive Tribe. Together, let’s show the world how Christians bear up under momentary light afflictions. When they can see the difference Christ makes in a time such as this, we’ll reap the opportunity to share the Gospel and lead others into a relationship with Him.
Megan Scheibner 