Raising Warriors of Light

My husband and I are in an interesting season in life. We are navigating our way through the jungle of raising two teenagers. We are learning the lingo (like when you say “dubs” it means “W” for win!), fighting for attention with a non-living device, and praying our hearts out that they turn out okay. Recently, I learned something that burdened my heart greatly. The total number of teenagers who recently experienced depression increased 59% between 2007 and 2017. And the rate of young adults with suicidal thoughts or other suicide-related outcomes increased 47 percent during the same time.

Why are these things happening? Because the enemy knows where to hit us. We are in a serious, spiritual battle, yet for some reason we often ignore or avoid it. Some parents may choose to hold off teaching their children about heaven and hell until a later date. But the battle between good and evil can be seen in even young children’s fairy tales like Cinderella and Little Red Riding Hood.

Here’s the thing we often forget, though. The battle is already won. Parents may try to avoid it so as not to instill fear into their children, but it will happen. Satan will eventually get into every person’s mind one way or another. That’s why it’s so important to remember we have the victory, and we have already been given all the tools necessary to conquer our own inner battles, and so do our kiddos.

Did you know we can actually tell our brains what to remember? We have POWER over our minds. Romans 12:2 says, “Be transformed by renewing of your mind…” It is a complete changing. God wants us to be 100% changed by our thinking, from our old ways to the new.

What can we, as parents, do? Below I have outlined some strategies for you to help your children fight and win this war.

1. Remind them of the armor in Ephesians 6. If they’re younger, practice putting it on together each morning.  

2. Talk about intentional thinking, and create strategies so they aren’t letting their minds be filled with emptiness. This leaves an open door for the enemy.

3. Create a list of negative things they think about themselves, then have them cross it off and write a positive opposite. For example, “I’m ugly.” Instead, speak over them and encourage them to write down things like, “I am created in His image.” Another example, “Nobody loves me.” Instead, “Your thoughts toward me are like the sands on the beach.”

4. Model speaking encouraging words to your family during the day.

5. Think before you speak. The more we do it, the more of a habit it becomes, the easier it is.

6. Speak to the devil directly or the negative thought, telling it to go, then replacing it with a positive.

This post was not meant to bring you down, but to wake the mighty warrior within. While it may be difficult for kids to wrap their minds around, it’s critical we teach them how to withstand any attacks that come against their thoughts. It’s time for our next generation to rise up and take a stand against insecurity, confusion, anger, unworthiness, and rejection, and it’s our job to help them.