Parenting by Design - March 26

The witness of faith

Dan. 3:17-18: "If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up" (NIV).

When Daniel's three friends were told to worship Nebuchadnezzar or be thrown into a blazing furnace, their response spoke volumes about their faith. Although they trusted that God could deliver them, they didn't know if that would be His will. No matter what happened, however, they wanted the king to know they were willing to endure anything before they denied their God.

Some parenting challenges will stretch our faith more than others. Even though He has the ability to deliver us, God may ask us to walk through some of these trials. When we affirm His goodness in the face of potential suffering, our faith shines in a powerful and authentic way.

Let your children and those around you see your faith in the way you respond to trials.