A Good Soldier
- Cathrine Schmelzer
- Jun 20
- 2 min read
“I want my kids to be able to fight their battles with God alongside them.”
“Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. Soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them. And athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules.” 2 Timothy 2:3-5 (NLT)
I think one of the biggest things no one tells you about becoming a mom is the amount of worrying you will actually do. I remember being shocked they just let me walk out of the hospital with my baby, fully knowing that I had no idea what I was doing. Then, as the years go on, the worrying still happens, but for different reasons. It is like a never ending cycle. Yet when you think about it logically, worrying is pointless. Worrying takes away from your life and adds nothing. The part that truly affects me, is the fact that my kids see my actions more than they hear my words, and mimic those actions.
Do I want my kids to grow up being a worrier like I have been? Or do I want them to stand strong in the face of adversity?
Because, let’s be honest, they will have suffering. They will have hard times. And they will struggle. The question is—am I teaching them how to respond and work through those struggles? Am I teaching them to know struggling is okay, and in those moments they need to turn to God even more?
I want my kids to be able to fight their battles with God alongside them. To be “a good soldier of Christ Jesus”. Friends, God wants that for us too. We need to be that example for our kids. When the hard times come, don’t give up and shut down. We need to fight. We need to fight with God by our sides.
Trust in Him and know that through the battles, you are surrounded by the One who will fight with you.
Action Steps:
Listen to the song Surrounded (Fight My Battles).
Ask yourself these questions:
Am I teaching my kids how to respond and work through struggles?
Am I teaching my kids to know struggling is okay, and in those moments they need to turn to God even more?
Prayer: Lord, I pray that You help me to be a good soldier for the sake of my kids. I pray that You give me strength and courage during the battles. I want to be a good example for my kids and to show them how to turn to You for their strength. Thank You for always being there for me through the hard times. I couldn’t do it without You. I love You, Lord. Amen.
Written by Kara, mom to 2 of God’s soldiers