HOW CAN WE HELP OUR CHILDREN NAVIGATE LIFE’S LOSSES?

 ANCHOR OF LIFE DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE For TUESDAY, 27TH JUNE, 2023.

TOPIC:  HOW CAN WE HELP OUR CHILDREN NAVIGATE LIFE’S LOSSES? 

MEMORIZE: "If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small."  Proverbs 24:10.

SCRIPTURE READING: John 14:1-3

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

EXPOSITION:

In continuation of our on-going study on navigating life's losses, knowing that children too can be sorrowful, we must be available to provide help for them at the right time. A man/child that receives timely help will recover faster from loss than the ones who did not. Therefore, let us look at how we can help our children to understand loss when it comes in order for them to face its reality and be able to come out of it graciously.

(1) Don’t underestimate their capacity for grief. Children are often the “forgotten” grievers. Their pain is real and intense; recognize and validate it. Give them recognition when they are in grief. This will enable you to stand by them and provide comfort, hope and solution to their grief. 

(2) Don’t avoid talking about the loss when they’re present. Excluding them from adults in mourning denies them the opportunity for support, and increased understanding about their loss. Include them in the family’s collective grief experience. Don't treat them as if they don't understand or as if they can contribute nothing to your relief. 

(3) Encourage them to share their feelings about the loss. Teach them that being “real” is more important than being “strong,” and confirm that their feelings matter. Very young children have limited understanding about the meaning, permanence, and irreversibility of death. They can only talk about it briefly and concretely. Older children understand its meaning and should be encouraged to talk about it. 

(4) Make allowance for each child’s personality. Our personality determines our grieving style. Introverted children may need their own space; extroverted ones may need to be verbal and sociable. Dependent children need strong adults around them; independent ones can handle a lot on their own. 

(5) Communicate realistically with them. Adults often use language that confuses children. “Your dad has gone home; …fallen asleep; …passed away; …gone to his rest,” etc. Speaking of death as the end of this physical life is biblical, clarifies the significance of the loss, and allows children to ask questions that matter to them. Your children can handle loss, and they can understand that everlasting life is God’s great solution and one day we will join our loved ones in heaven (See John 14:2-3). With this, they should be taught on how to trust God for consolation, hope and relief in the days of evil or loss. May God prevent us from loss and it's griefs in Jesus name. 

PRAYER POINT:  Lord, help me to see you in my distresses not to despair in Jesus name.

DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR –  Psalms 117-119.

********************************

ANCHOR OF LIFE is the daily devotional guide written by PASTOR DR. SAMUEL AYORINDE. It is an extraction of God’s word designed to draw the sincere seekers closer to God on a daily basis through an insightful exposition and analysis of God’s Word. Read, Meditate, Pray and Share this message to others. For prayers, Counseling and further enquiries, call or whatsapp +2347032993319; +2348056130469. Or Email: anchoroflifeministry@gmail.com