Why do kids get depressed? Why are they anxious? Why do they lack confidence? There are many reasons, but one of them is that they lack hope.
What is hope? Hope is the confident assurance of a desired outcome. That sounds awesome. How do we give our kids hope?
Hope starts with love. Specifically, love from parents and love from the God that created them. If a child believes they are truly cherished for who they are by their parents and God, that child has a lot of hope for their future. This love provides a platform — a secure base of operations — for them to launch into the outside world with hope.
Think about a child who is an orphan. Rejected by their parents. Unwanted and unloved. Placed in an insecure environment where they do not trust their caretakers or the other orphans around them. They don't have a secure base of operations.
Now, let's say that child gets adopted by a wise and benevolent king. They did nothing to change their status. It was changed for them by the king.
Over time, this status change will cause them to act differently. They will begin to act according to their newfound identity.
How does this work for you and your child? With intention, we help our kids understand who they are to us and who they are to God. They are fully loved by their most important people.
As they are filled up with that love, then they will overflow with hope!
