I swiped at the wetness on my face as I read about her experience, “I wasn’t sleeping. I wasn’t eating. “I have bottled everything up so that everything’s good for the kids.” Oh, yes. I understood her description of “mama-bearing” it. Pushing on. Pressing through the pain and heartache of your child’s mental illness.

 

God is With You in Your Child’s Mental Illness

Perhaps your child, like 1 in 6. little ones ages two-eight, battles mental illness. Or, you know a teen or young adult who grapples with depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, or another treatable disorder.

The subject of mental illness in children creates discomfort. Most would rather avoid it. But our friends, neighbors, and family members often suffer in silence as they grieve the pain and heartache of their child’s struggle.

Those of us with children who brave the battle wrestle with our own enemies. They go by names like Mourning, Lost Dreams, and Heartache. But we are not alone in the fight. God of the Breakthrough, Baal Perazim, goes before us—and before our sons and daughters.

We are not alone in the fight. God of the Breakthrough, Baal Perazim, goes before us—and before our sons and daughters. #mentalillness #parenting Click To Tweet

Mental Illness Does Not Define Your Child

Movies, media, and the misinformed portray those with mental illness as dangerous. But the majority of those with depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other mental health disorders hurt from their isolated corners of the world—along with their mothers, fathers, and siblings.

Maybe you relate. Perhaps your child locked horns with mental health as a little one—overwhelmed by anxiety as he hid beneath a table in a preschool classroom Or, your loved one may have flourished until the teen or young adult years. Almost overnight life changed. Now the scars on your son’s arms stand witness to his pain. Your daughter sinks into a place of monosyllabic response and unending sleep.

But our children are not their mental illness. Symptoms do not define them. Only God is allowed that privilege and scripture declares that each one is “fearfully and wonderfully made #mentalillness #parenting”. (Psalm 139:14)

Our children are not their mental illness. Symptoms do not define them. Only God is allowed that privilege and scripture declares each one is “fearfully and wonderfully made”. Click To Tweet

Mental Illness Does Not Dictate Your Child’s Future

Fear often invades my thoughts as I consider my son’s future. How will he manage on his own? What if he cannot provide for himself? Common to many of us whose children engage their invisible disability, arrows like these can cripple hope.

I sometimes spiral into a dark place bereft of expectation when I fail to capture these negative notions. Do you, as well?

Though realistic planning makes sense, it is important to remember that most mental illness is treatable—even serious mental health conditions.

 

God’s Plans for Your Child are Better Than You Imagine

I’ve thought often about the following story.

As he [Jesus] went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” (John 9:1-2 NIV)

Years ago, my son experienced an anxiety attack at the park. His lips curled, an older gentleman crouched near his grandchild and said, “I’m glad you don’t behave that way.”Oh, how I longed to retaliate on behalf of my child. To protect him from the hurtful words of those who misunderstood.

The disciples uttered similar foolishness. But Jesus responded, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. (John 9:3 NIV)

Please do not misunderstand me. I am not suggesting that your child or mine acquired mental illness because God deems it necessary for His glory. I do want to point out that:

• the parents are not to blame.
• the child is not to blame.
• God can still be glorified.

After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing. (John 9: 6-7 NIV)

A family I know had a little boy with pediatric bipolar disorder marked by hallucinations. As a teenager, the same child was healed of his illness. He no longer needs medication, counseling, or any of the other supports his parents put in place.

While our Savior only heals some people this side of heaven, He never ceases to hear our prayers. And one day, our children will be restored.

 

A Prayer for Comfort if Your Child Has Mental Illness

Father,

You know the ache in my soul. My child is suffering and I long to relieve the burden. Some days I feel helpless, Lord. Remind me that you are the “strength of my heart”. (Psalm 73:26) Where I am incapable, you stand mighty. I hold fast to the truth that my “child is your workmanship” (Ephesians 2:10) and you have good plans for his/her future. (Jeremiah 29:11) Help me surrender my worry to you daily. I praise you for the gift of my son/daughter and ask for heavenly wisdom and the ability to endure with all gentleness and patience.

In the powerful name of Jesus,

Amen

Peace and grace,

Tammy

 

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