How to Build Your Child’s Confidence
Parents are the first impression a child has of the world. Newborns tune into Mom and Dad’s voice, toddlers watch how we hold a spoon, grade schoolers acquire our tastes for food, literature, sports, and, of course, Jesus.
They learn to shape their reality based on ours.
As parents we may not be able to control all the circumstances of their reality—things like peer pressure, social drama, anti-Christian cultural beliefs—but we certainly can devote day after day to infusing God’s truth and confidence in our children’s hearts. And I’m not talking about a shallow, egocentric self-esteem. I want my kids to possess God-esteem—to know they are lovely and loveable simply because God says so. It’s an irrefutable truth. Nobody else’s opinions can change it.
Not even their own.
God’s Word says, “…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” (Psalm 139:13–14).
Do you want your kids to have real confidence? Especially in a world that will threaten to tear them down at every turn? Then teach them where their true strengths lie.
That means let’s not just tell our kids they’re beautiful. Tell them God made you beautiful.
Don’t tell them they’re smart. Say God made you smart.
Stop tossing out platitudes like, “You can do it!” Instead, remind them “You can do all things through Christ; it’s His power working in you. You have gifts and He wants you to use them.”
Truth is, our children are not special because we think so. They’re special because God created them. He crafted every single one of us with sovereign intention and flawless affection. We are each an original, divine masterpiece.
And God’s unconditional love isn’t just for our kids, you know. You—the grown-up—are special, too.
Loved, beautiful, valued, victorious and chosen. You and I are all those things in Christ and more.
Imagine how the world would change if more people knew that—and lived like they believed it.
Let’s start with our kids… today.
Blessings,
Becky
