How do mornings usually go in your house? For the typical household, it’s a mad dash to get everyone out of bed, fed, dressed, out of the house with all of their belongings and into the car or bus for school drop off.
Before we go any further, I want you to know that I’m not going to ask you to wake up earlier to ensure that your day begins on a positive note.
Instead, I want to encourage you to work in some affirmations with your kids.
It’s an easy concept on paper, but once you start introducing the idea and start speaking truth over your children, you’ll start to see that there is a big return on investments in the long run.
The Bible tells us in Romans 12 verses 1 and 2 to renew our minds daily. One of the easiest ways that we can renew our minds, both kids and adults, is to speak the truth out loud! When we continually speak powerful truths that are backed up by scripture, we are filling our minds and hearts with the truth instead of believing lies.
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will (Romans 12:1,2).
Renewing your mind is all about changing the way that you think. And we must be intentional about how we teach that to kids as well as to ourselves.
And boy, today’s kids need to hold onto the truth.
Here are five biblically supported affirmations for you to teach your children:
Every day is a fresh start.
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22-23).
I am helpful and kind.
So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them (Matthew 7:12).
There is nothing that I can’t figure out.
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you (James 1:5).
I can be calm in frustrating situations.
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you (1 Peter 5:7).
My mistakes help me learn and grow.
Brothers and sisters, I know that I still have a long way to go. But there is one thing I do: I forget what is in the past and try as hard as I can to reach the goal before me (Philippians 3:13).
Each of these statements will help your child know that they are loved and valued not just by their parents, bu t by our Creator, God.
Here are some ideas for working these affirmations into busy mornings:
1. Pick one to emphasize when you’re sitting down for breakfast. Say the affirmation, read the scripture, then talk about it.
2. Say the affirmations out loud with your kids in earshot as they are getting dressed for school.
3. Place post-its with the affirmations on the bathroom mirror and in lunch boxes.
4. Pick an affirmation to say together as you’re walking to the bus stop.
5. Say the affirmations in the car before school drop off.
Over time, these affirmations will be memorized and then implanted in your hearts and minds. When we help our children build a foundation of truth, we are helping them stand strong as they grow up and face the world.
Consider a few extra resources:
