Tragedies occur every day.

Drug overdoses and addiction. Self-harm and suicide attempts. They’re both at an all-time high. Mental health diagnoses are rampant, with the majority of individuals refusing treatment. Jails and prisons are full. The list of issues is long. Teens and adults of all ages struggle with hopelessness and despair. Just hearing about these things is depressing. Everywhere you go families are hurting. Is yours one of them?

“I feel so down. I don’t think I can take it anymore.” “I can’t believe what’s happening.” “This generation is going to hell in a handbasket.” “I’m more fearful now than ever for my child.” “I want to go to sleep and never wake up. I just want the pain to end.” I frequently hear comments like these from weary moms and dads.

In America and abroad, millions of families have been impacted by the issues I mentioned. These problems do not discriminate. No race, religion, or socio-economic group is left untouched. As parents of struggling sons and daughters, fear seizes our hearts. We worry and fret about their future.

Some of our children live in dangerous ways, threatening their lives on a regular basis. We watch the evening news and think, that could have been my child. Our illusion of control has been yanked out from under our feet.

As hard as we try, we can’t stop bad things from happening to our sons and daughters.

One day we could face a tragedy. What a hard reality to live with. The anticipation can lead to depression. What could help?

As a believer in Jesus, I turn to the Bible. God’s Word helps me face any tragedy.

Ten Promises for Depressed Parents

1. God is with me. I am not alone. Others who have walked this path can help me, too.

“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20b).

      2. God always hears my prayers.

“When I called, you answered me; you made me bold and stouthearted” (Psalm 138:3).

    3.  God will give me the endurance I need.

“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall” (Isaiah 40:29-30).

   4.  God’s love will never leave me.

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).

 5. God cares about my pain.

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

 6. I can survive any situation because the Lord is my help and strength.

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea” (Psalm 46:1-2).

 7. God is loving, trustworthy, and faithful.

“For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD” (Psalm 117:2).

8. God is my source of hope. 

“Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him” (Psalm 62:5).

9. God will sustain me in my hard times.

“Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me” (Psalm 54:4).

10. God is near when my heart is broken.

“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm34:18).

Prayer: God of Compassion, restore us through the power of Your word and Your presence. Bless us with faith to believe Your promises are true. Thank You for each one. Oh, how we need them. We’re desperate for You. Help us keep our sanity in the face of tragedy. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

*This blog is from my archives.