In Part 1 of this four part series, Helping Children Grow Spiritually, I shared the importance of modeling a love for God. Part 2 looks at modeling a trust in God, as another practice for fostering spiritual growth in your children.
Model a Trust in God
In order to model a trust in God, you must actually trust in God, right? Some of us are given to fear and worry more than others. It is true that having a solid understanding and belief in the sovereignty of God can cast off fear. While this may be easier said than done, I encourage you to dwell on God’s sovereignty when worry or anxiety takes hold of you.
Proverbs 3:5-6 reassures us: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Isaiah reminds us, “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (41:10). These verses bring a peace and a boldness to move forward when we face hardship or fear the unknown.
The way we respond to trials and adversities, communicates our trust or lack of trust in God, to our children. Health and security can be issues causing us to worry. Maybe what you fear is an ideology being imposed on your children. Do you live in fear for their future? The way we discuss these issues with our children can hinder or enhance their biblical understanding of God’s power. If we react out of fear, we hamper an ability to apply a biblical perspective, and trust in 
the Lord. On the other hand, if we use the difficult or uncomfortable situations to lovingly shed light on the truth of God’s presence, or strength, or favor, or goodness, or rule, we help our children to connect the dots in their understanding of scripture and a God who will never forsake them.
At the beginning of the school year we hold a Student Council election. Students interested in running for an office run a campaign for a week and give a speech at a school-wide assembly. This year, candidates were taking turns giving their speech. A third grade student walked to the platform, froze, began to cry, and then ran off the stage. Fear had gripped her. After she returned to the classroom, I went in and told her that she could have another opportunity to give her speech at lunchtime in the cafeteria. We prayed before she began. An amazing thing happened. After giving her speech the student body cheered. They fully understood the fear of public speaking and offered tremendous support in their response to her second attempt at communicating her desire to be a Class Representative. Fortunately, rather than giving into fear, with God’s help, she faced it, and learned a valuable lesson. God is with us always. He is good, and we can trust Him.
Going to the dentist for the first time (or anytime for that matter), the first day of school, moving to a new neighborhood, taking a test, having the pressure of an important position on a sports team or countless other ordinary childhood activities, are opportunities for our children to grow in trusting God.
Modeling a trust in God will require faith talks with your children. Sharing with them how you rely on scripture to process and deal with fear or worry (age appropriate) is one way to model trust in the Lord. Speaking truth regarding a concern they express to you, can also model trust. Praying for God’s help or power in a given situation communicates that you trust God to handle whatever burden they carry. When they encounter something new, share with them what they can expect of the situation, how God has prepared them for the situation, how He will be with them in the situation, and how they will grow as a result of the situation. Shining light on God’s work in their lives reinforces the truth that He is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. An all-powerful, all- knowing, ever present God is worthy of our trust.
“The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and His sovereignty rules over all” (Psalm 103:19).
Can you think of a time when your trust in God impacted your child’s response to trusting Him? I look forward to hearing your story.