30 Bible Verses About Parenting That Change Everything

This is so hard, I thought as I shut our bedroom door and my husband pulled me close. I tried not to cry. We had just had a parenting night from hell.

If you’re a parent, you might just know what I’m talking about.

There was yelling and tears, hard conversations, hurt feelings, consequences and the symphony of slammed doors.

In less than half an hour and three conversations, we had made three kids angry and unhappy because we are just that good.

Parenting is not for wimps.

If it isn’t hard, maybe we aren’t doing it right? my husband said quietly in my ear.

I let his words sink in.  Because too often I believe the lie that says if we were doing this parenting thing right, we wouldn’t fight or disagree or battle over opinions and attitudes. We wouldn’t hurt each other. We would be normal. We would do this better.

To be honest, parenting would be a lot easier if we didn’t care so much; if we didn’t try so hard; if we didn’t love so fiercely. We try to juggle grace and expectations and some nights all the balls come tumbling down.

But just because the road gets bumpy doesn’t mean we are off course. Actually, the right road is bumpy. The correct path does have obstacles and setbacks. The parenting journey is broken and beautiful at the same time.

Parents have bad days, so do kids. It doesn’t mean we have a bad life, but we can believe no matter what the day holds, God is good.

We both sat on the end of the bed and confessed our need for God. It’s in moments like these that God’s Word is a light to our feet and a lamp to our path.

Scripture can change our hearts, attitudes, everything. It can turn a day around, and a heart. It’s alive and it pierces. God gave us the Bible for instruction, encouragement and it brings peace.

30 Bible Verses About Parenting For Any Situation 

For when you fight with (and for) your kids

2 Corinthians 13:11 “Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.”

For when you make a mistake and need to apologize

Ephesians 6:4 “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”

For when you need to forgive

Colossians 3:13 “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

For when you need strength

Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

For when you need wisdom

Proverbs 4:6-7, “Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.”

For when you need to say no

1 Corinthians 15:58 “Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.”

For when you need joy in your home

Psalm 63:6-7 “For you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.”

For when you doubt

Proverbs 3:5-8 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes;  fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.”

For when you are afraid

John 14:27 – “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

For when the future is daunting

Matthew 6:34 “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

For when you need grace and need to extend it

2 Corinthians 12:9 “And He has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.’ Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.”

For when you are angry

I Peter 4:8-11 “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.”

For when you are heartbroken

John 16:33  “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

For when you need peace

Matthew 5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”

For when you are frustrated

Psalm 133:1 “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!”

For when you need patience

Romans 12:12 “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

For when you are confused

1 Corinthians 14:33 – “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.”

For when you need community

Hebrews 10:24-25 “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another.”

For when you are worried

Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

For when you don’t know what to do

Ephesians 4:2-3

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”

So, don’t give up, Mom. Don’t stop trying, Dad.

Yes, parenting is hard.

Especially when we’re doing it right.

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