Parenting can be hard. Sometimes it feels like the challenges in front of us are too big, too messy, or too scary to face. Maybe it’s a difficult conversation with your child, a move to a new place, or just the daily grind of keeping your family healthy and happy. The truth is, in those moments, we often feel completely unready. And that’s exactly where God wants to meet us. The story of Moses reminds us that courage doesn’t come from feeling ready—it comes from trusting God. Moses was a man who felt unqualified, afraid, and unsure. When God called him from the burning bush and asked him to lead His people out of Egypt, Moses hesitated. “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh?” he asked. He thought the task was too big, too impossible, and too scary. But God didn’t leave Moses to face it alone. God promised, “I will be with you” (Exodus 3:12 CSB). God didn’t give Moses a perfect feeling of readiness; He gave him His presence. And with God with him, Moses was able to do things he never could have imagined—he stood before Pharaoh, led his people out of slavery, and witnessed God’s power in incredible ways.
As parents, we can take comfort in the same truth. When we feel unready for the challenges of raising our kids, God is with us. He goes before us, stands beside us, and provides exactly what we need in the moment. Courage is not the absence of fear; it’s trusting that God’s presence and power are enough, even when we feel weak. Just as Moses had signs, a helper in his brother Aaron, and God’s guidance every step of the way, we have the Holy Spirit living inside us. God equips us to speak, to act, to love, and to make wise choices even when we feel unsure or inadequate. Every time we face a moment that stretches us—whether helping a child through disappointment, responding with patience to defiance, or making a decision that feels too big—we can remember that God doesn’t expect us to do it alone. He promises to be with us.
Moses’ story also reminds us that trusting God doesn’t mean the challenge disappears. Pharaoh didn’t immediately release the Israelites, the plagues came one after another, and the people were trapped between the Red Sea and the army. Life often doesn’t get easier immediately when we trust God; sometimes it gets messier before we see His power at work. But just as God parted the waters and led His people to safety, He can give us strength, courage, and wisdom to handle the difficulties in our families. God is always working for our good and for the good of those we love, even when we can’t see the full picture.
This week, take a moment to remind yourself that courage is available to you through God’s presence. You don’t have to feel ready to face the fears, challenges, or uncertainties in your parenting. God can give you the courage you need, right when you need it. Ask Him to fill your heart with His Spirit, to guide your words and actions, and to help you trust that He is with you through every step of raising your children. Remember the words God spoke to Moses: “I will be with you.” Let those words become your anchor as you walk with your kids through the joys, the frustrations, and the unknowns. Even when you feel unready, God is enough, and His presence is your courage.
