How can we as mothers paint an accurate picture in our children's heart of who they really are? Do you realize the extent of your influence?
We are going to look at one of four factors that determine their level of self-esteem. Why is their self esteem so vital? Because according to the Word of God, it will directly effect their ability to accomplish God's will in their lives!
- Personal Worth
For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.
You cannot love others unless you first learn to love yourself! Saying "I love you" are the three most important words that you can continually plant in your childs heart! Let them know how important they are to YOU!
(Prov. 23:7)
One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?
The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."
(Mark 12:28-31)For you created my inmost being;you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful. I know that full well.
Your child is a gift from God to you;what you plant in their hearts is your gift to them. Plant good seeds of love and security today. Your harvest will be a blessed family passed down through the generations.
(Ps. 139:13-14) - Past Failures and Successes
My dad always said, "A man who never makes any mistakes is a man who never does anything".
Prov. 24:16, says "For a just man falls seven times, and rises again; but the wicked shall fall into mischief."
There is only one perfect man, and His name is Jesus! Give your children room to fall. They are going to miss it now and then. That is not a lack of faith statement, that is a fact of life. I expect the best from my children and continue to pray for them daily, but they also know that if they miss it, I want them to run to God, not from Him. I also took it one step further. When my sons were teenagers, I told them that if they missed the mark, I wanted to hear it from them first! Not from a small town gossip...
Failing doesn't make you a failure. Giving up, accepting your failure, refusing to try again, does!
Failures and mistakes are a part of our lives. The attitude we have towards them, however, separates the successful people from the unsuccessful. Help your children eliminate the "nevers & can'ts". Teach them to perservere. Persevere means to continue a course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition! Don't allow them to quit once they have committed to do something. Encourage them to follow through!
Success is not what we do, but who we are!
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.I don't mean to say I am perfect. I haven't learned all I should even yet, butI keep working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ saved me for and wants me to be
(Phil. 3:12 TLB) - Present Opportunities
Keep them on fire for God!!! Don't let them be over involved in so many activities, that they have little time for the things of God. It stresses you out, and them as well! Teach your children to expect something good every day and to be thankful for the little things! Help them to appreciate where they are at in life and to enjoy the moment. They can never go back and relive anything. - Future hopes and dreams
Have an ear to hear their hopes and dreams.Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass."
Believe in them and partner with them! Don't say to them, "Don't look to me if you want that, you believe God for it yourself."
(Ps. 37:4-5)
Invest in their future by PRAYING for them, and planting seed into their dreams as the Lord leads.
The greatest gift you can give your child is to have faith and confidence in them.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.
God wants to bless your children and you need to remain the major influence in their lives. The encouraging words you speak daily into their hearts will paint a permanent picture of faith, love, joy, and success. Enjoy painting... They grow up fast... and you can make the difference in their life!
(Jer. 29:11)
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