Dark Whispers

     We look at those sticky, gooey faces of our children -- especially in the pictures after the mess has been cleaned up -- and we reflect on how much we love our kids.  In fact, if they are in bed asleep, we may even feel the extreme emotions that make our hearts feel like they will swell to the point of bursting. 

     Those are the moments we realize that no matter what it takes, we want the best for our children!

     There is only one problem . . . even though we want the best for our children and we know God wants the best for our children, there is someone out there who doesn't . . . the enemy.  The one who, the Bible says, "Prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." (I Peter 5:8)  We are also told in God's Word that the enemy came to steal, kill and destroy -- BUT this should not cause us to feel afraid -- not for a minute.  God gave us this information so we would be alert and prepared to deal with the battle that exists around our lives, our homes and our children's lives.

     Have you noticed there are times when it seems you can watch the enemy at work in our children's lives?

     Our children can be skipping through the bright, green grass, swinging their outstretched arms and within moments their demeanor seems to change.  It may be a frown replaces their big grin, or a nasty comment slides out of their mouth, or even a cheerful conversation turns suddenly sour -- the enemy tries to steal those sweet times with his dark whispers.

     We've heard one of our children say, "I'm so stupid," and all he was doing was dangling his legs in the air, while seated on a tree branch.  Having NEVER heard those words before, we inquired why he would say such a thing.  His answer was simple -- "I was just sitting there and the thought came into my head."  That is a pretty innocent example, and I realize it is very subjective, but when you see things like that play out in various situations in the way our children's thoughts are affected and their thinking is obscured, it should make us sit up a little more vigilant.

     God, who loves us 100%, would not have gone to the effort of warning us over and over to be on guard against the enemy and his schemes if they were not a serious threat to ourselves and our children.  Yet that should not cause fear, it has to be seen as a problem with a solution.  So, what is the solution?

     Be alert - watch for where our kids are susceptible to the "dark whispers" of the enemy and strengthen their walls and fill in their cracks with our battle prayers, our encouraging words and our passionate love.  If there is a reoccurring lie that you see them battling, fight it with all you've got!

     Watch for the times the climate seems to shift at home and ask God to show us how to pray for our kids and process with our kids. 

     I remember one time we were driving to the library and I was at complete odds with one of our children but it didn't even make sense why -- it felt like their heart was a million miles away from me.  So I started to silently pray . . .
     God, I don't know what is going on in this child's heart, but you do.
     I know the enemy wants to tear apart our relationship but Your Word says that we are to be at peace with one another.
     I put on the full armour of God and take my stand against the devil's schemes.
     Lord Jesus, come into this place and change this situation.

     Do you know that afternoon trip to the library turned around 180 degrees? 

     It wasn't anything eloquent I said to my child or something fantastic I did, but God showed up in our day and destroyed the "dark whispers" with His might.  God's power blew away the cobwebs of confusion and darkness and brought His light.

     Don't let your children suffer with whispers that bring darkness -- not when God has given us all that we need to stand on their behalf and help them fight for truth and light.  Never give up -- we may be the only ones who are aware of the battle they are facing in their minds and if we don't fight on their behalf, who will?

"His divine power has given

us EVERYTHING we need

for life and godliness through

our knowledge of Him."

II Peter 1:3