Three God Promises for Parents to Beat the Back to School Blues

By Doug Hutchcraft

The pools are empty. The cafeteria’s full. And Walmart is selling pencils by the ton. Yep, it’s already the start of a new school year.

If you’re like millions of other parents, you maybe worry a little more sending this generation of kids to school. School seems a little meaner these days. Temptations rear their ugly head earlier and earlier. There can even be fear about what may occur at school. It can be a jungle out there!

Here are three promises from God’s Word that I pray for my own children, and I hope these promises will encourage you, and bring you and your family peace as you start a new school year:

First, these are incredibly reassuring words – “I know Whom I have believed and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him” (1 Timothy 2:12).

Put your son or daughter’s name in that verse: “I am convinced that God will guard _________ whom I’ve entrusted to Him.” Then pray that way!

Here’s the second promise – “You gather the lambs in Your arms and carry them close to Your heart” (Isaiah 40:11).

Sure there are more “wolves” out there than ever. However, that begins to pale in comparison, when we see and realize we serve a Great Shepherd who loves and guards His sheep so passionately. And that goes for not only our child(ren), but also for us, as their parent. God tenderly carries each of us close to His heart, when we choose to have a relationship with Him. 

The third promise is that, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, of love, and a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).

Now put your name in that verse! “God has not given _______ a spirit of fear….” God wants to do great things through your child or children who you’ve committed to Him. Remind yourself of that every day they go out the door to school, or off to college. 

Don’t look at this school year as something to endure! Look at it as an amazing opportunity for your kids to “Let your light shine before [classmates], that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father in Heaven” (Matthew 5:16). Challenge your child to make a difference for Jesus among their friends, in their school, and in their corner of the world!

Doug Hutchcraft is the Creative Director and Executive Director of Ron Hutchcraft Ministries.