Written By: Clarissa Mangaran
Do you have someone in your life who just breaks your heart? Someone who knows what to say or do that irks you? Do you have someone in your life who you feel like you’re in a constant battle with? Normally, with someone like that, I’m all, “See ya!” But I can’t do that this time. This time, it’s one of my children. This time, I have to stick it out and work through it. This time so much more is at stake. And when things get tough, I know just who to go to; my Heavenly Father. He has all the answers.
A few nights ago, my kid said something that shook me. The weight of her words was like a blow to my stomach. It hurt me to my core as a mother. I had no words to say. So many negative thoughts and questions filled my mind. I sobbed as I desperately cried out to the Lord. In my women’s bible study, we read that God designs us perfectly for our children, and He designs our children perfectly for us. I tell you the truth, at that moment I was telling God He got it wrong this time.
As I cried a gut-wrenching cry, His goodness came to mind. He reminded me that the battle I face is not of flesh and blood. My enemy is not my child, but someone who wants to destroy our relationship with one another and with God. My prayer shifted. I began proclaiming, “I trust You, Lord. I trust You with whatever happens. In my anguish, I will praise You. Thank You for my child and the opportunity to grow from this trial. I will thank You in advance for restoration and healing in my relationship with my child. I thank You for our victory in You.”
I didn’t sleep well that night, but I did experience peace enough to calm my aching heart. And I went to sleep honoring my Lord. That shift in thinking Didn’t just happen by accident. I had a battle plan.
When faced with a trial:
- Remember who your real enemy is.
- Revere God’s power, grace, goodness, and love.
- Recognize the blessings that He’s given you.
- Recall or research Scripture that relates to your situation and write it down.
- Rest in His presence, trusting that He’s got it all under control, and you are victorious in Him!
Without a battle plan, I would have spiraled. It would have taken me a really long time to recover. I would have held on to the hurt. I wouldn’t have been able to think of how to move forward. But instead, I was able to stop in the midst of the pain and turn to my Comforter. He helped me correct my thinking. He helped me see His perspective. He helped me to move past the offense. Last night I was able to have a discussion with my daughter about what she said. While we still have a long road ahead of us to rebuild trust and intimacy, we’re moving in the right direction. And we have a Father who is at work on both our hearts. He’ll keep drawing us closer to Him and to one another.
Seek God’s Word for your own battle plan or use mine. Unfortunately, in this broken world, it won’t be long before you need it. You’ll see just how much of a difference it makes.
Written By: Clarissa Mangaran
My Prayer:
In my anguish, Lord, I will praise You. As my heart breaks and fills with fear, I proclaim that I will trust You with the outcome. I trust You to bring healing and restoration in my broken relationship with my child. I trust You with whatever happens.
“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.’” (Jeremiah 29:11-13)
Thank You, Lord, for Your plan for our lives, for us to prosper through You. Thank You for making Your presence accessible and known when I seek You. Wow! I am humbled by Your abounding generosity. Help me to seek You with all my heart. I can’t see what lies ahead, but I can trust that You’re in control and that You’ll work all things out for our good.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
Thank You for each of my children. You gave these kids to me for a reason, a reason beyond myself, beyond themselves. Lord, help me to steward well over what is ultimately Yours. All of this is Yours.
“…God, for whom and through whom everything exists…” (Hebrews 2:10)
“To the Lord your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it.” (Deuteronomy 10:14)
“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world and all who live in it, for He founded it on the seas and established it on the waters.” (Psalm 24:1-2)
I know my victory is in You. You have promised that Your victory is done. Evil will be no more. Pain will be no more. Broken relationships will be no more.
“In fact, this is love for God: to keep His commands. And His commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” (1 John 5:3-5)
And I do! I can rest assured that I’m loving my kids the right way because I love the Lord, and I do my best to carry out His commands.
“Today, you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not panic or be terrified by them. For the Lord your God is the One who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.” (Deuteronomy 20:3-4)
Wow! Lord! And my enemy is not a person or a circumstance. I need to keep in mind who my real enemy is.
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers and of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:12)
“In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
“If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)
“The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord.” (Proverbs 21:31)
“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57)
I will praise You through this trial because I know my faith is being strengthened. I’m learning to trust You more each day. And this will prayerfully be what impacts the hearts of my children more than anything. We are made stronger through our relationship with You!
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4)
I will consider it joy to go through this life (in the good and the bad) with You, Lord. I love you.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
