What an important question in today’s world. There are a myriad of conversations happening about racism, corrupt governments, sex, pollution, hate. Much of today’s news is comprised of what is wrong with the world. That leaves another question.
Is anything going right? The fact that today, hating people and not the person’s sin has become trendy is a sign of the times. People hate the president, people hate the police, people hate the other political party. People just seem to hate each other.
Family becomes enemy. Friend becomes foe. This is not the ideal environment to raise a child.
Like you, I too have questioned whether or not raising a child in today’s age is a wise decision. Yet, somehow in my spirit, I am still convinced that we are capable of raising god-fearing children in today’s world.
I’ve never heard parenting to be easy. Ever. But with faith in God, I think any of us can successfully raise children in today’s world.
Here are four reasons why you should still think of bringing children into a broken world.
The World Will Always Be Fallen
Adam and Eve set the scene for what we see today. The original sin of mankind started with those two and the forbidden fruit. Since then, we have lived with sin and death.
Everyone that has walked this Earth, except for Jesus, has at one time or another sinned. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)
There is no erasing the marred image of this broken world, but without godly people brought into life, the world is bound to get worse. Humanity needs Jesus, and not everyone knows this truth.
Without godly people to spread the gospel or serve as positive role-models, the Christian faith will be further removed from the world. The world is better off with more Christians, not fewer.
God May Be Calling You to Parent
Some people in life are meant to be single, others are meant to be married. Likewise, God will call some believers to be parents and others not to be.
“Sometimes I wish everyone were single like me—a simpler life in many ways! But celibacy is not for everyone any more than marriage is. God gives the gift of the single life to some, the gift of the married life to others.” (1 Corinthians 7:7)
Parenting is not exclusive to singleness or marriage, though not everyone is fit to parent. Not everyone even enjoys the presence of children.
If God calls us to bear children, but we decide to disobey due to fear of what is happening in the world, then we will find ourselves in disobedience to God. Don’t get me wrong, the world’s darkness can appear large and scary. Sometimes it’s downright foreboding.
When compared to God, however, God is always bigger than the problem.
“Aren’t two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s consent.” (Matthew 10:29)
Rest assured God knows what is going on in the world and all that is to come later. This includes your ability to raise a child. If we can trust that God is watching over us now, then we can trust God to watch over us as we parent. And when we leave this world, God will still remain and watch over our children.
Life Could Be Worse
When you aren’t used to living in calamity, the sign of anything undesirable will cause stress. Let’s be careful not to understate the chaos in this world, but let’s also keep the proper perspective.
While one country may be embroiled in chaos, another could be in a season of tranquility. Some places in the world exist without ready access to the Internet, or water, or a reliable source of food.
When considering parenting, these are important questions to ask, more important than whether or not your favorite political party will seize control of the country next. Or if the trending cartoon show encourages gender dysphoria.
Throughout history children have been born during times of war, famine, slavery, mass disease. Thank God life is not as bad as it could be.
“And not only that, but we also boast in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance.” (Romans 5:3)
A Sign of Love
Jesus greatly valued children.
“People were bringing infants to him so that he might touch them, but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. Jesus, however, invited them: ‘Let the little children come to me, and don’t stop them, because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’” (Luke 18:15-17)
The act of raising a child should be viewed as sacred. Not everyone is called to have children, and rearing a child is a major responsibility.
I view loving a child to be an opportunity to love others, just as God has loved me (John 13:34). He brought me into the world, and allows me to bring someone else into it.
Any opportunity we can use to love others is an opportunity we should all strive to take advantage of on the daily.
To Parent or Not to Parent
Having concerns, doubts, and questions is a natural part of parenting. That’s a natural part of living. We are encouraged to take our thoughts to God.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phillippians 4:6-7)
As you enter into conversation with God through prayer, I hope that you will take the ideas mentioned in this article and allow yourself to be encouraged. Know that you are not the only person who is just not sure if the world is fit for your children.
Pray. Keep heart. And God will let you know.
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