Readying for Rough Roads: A 3-Day Parenting Planናሙና

The Roller Coaster of Life

Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life.

Psalm 71:20

Mark Twain once said that life is just one darn thing after another. No matter how tranquil our days are, we can be sure that an upheaval is just around the corner. Even Jesus experienced this roller-coaster aspect of human existence. His ministry began at the Jordan River, where He was baptized by John. Then God spoke to Him from heaven, saying that He was “well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). What an exhilarating moment!

What followed this incredible event, however, was one of the most terrible ordeals Jesus would encounter—a forty-day battle with Satan in the desert. After this difficult period, the pendulum swung back again. Jesus became tremendously popular as people learned that a “prophet” was in their midst. But then the chief priests and Pharisees began plotting to kill Him. And so it went. Eventually, the darkest day in human history—the crucifixion—was followed by the most wonderful news ever given to mankind, the resurrection of our Savior.

Our point is that there is no stability or predictability in this imperfect world. You must expect troubles, hardships, and heartache. The only anchor for you and your family in this topsy-turvy world is the unchanging, everlasting Lord. Even when you’re surrounded by tragedy, you can rest in this truth: His promises never fail, and His love never ends.

Before you say good night . . .

• Do your kids understand that we all must go through trials?
• Have you taught them to depend only on God for their security?

Our Father, how wonderful it is to have You as our God! Thank You for Your faithful, consistent love during the topsy-turvy moments of life. We pray that each member of our family will learn to always depend on You. Amen.

Excerpted from Night Light for Parents, used with permission.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. (2 Cor. 1:3-5, ESV)

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Cor. 12:9-10, ESV)