As a father of 4, I can’t think of anything more demoralizing or horrifying than the thought of a predator coming into my home and harming any of my kids in anyway.
When I think that thought I cringe with sadness but also a fresh resolve washes over my heart. As I ponder the atrocities of such a heinous event ever happening I find myself saying to myself:
“I would stand in the gap and give my life to protect
my precious children from any such attack or threat”
What’s interesting (and horrific) to think about is that even though we hate thinking about such a gruesome, horrific scene that is the EXACT threat facing each of our kids in this crazy world in which we find ourselves.
We buy your kids iPhones and think we’re giving them freedom but we paradoxically give them the gift of porn (and ultimately slavery).
We let our kids connect on social media and we think we’re giving them “community” but we unfortunately expose them to predators.
We let our kids binge watch Netflix because we think we’re giving them “the good life” but all we’re doing is reinforcing the “lazy gene” that is already WAY over stimulated.
Let me put this a little more bluntly: We are unknowingly setting our children and teens up for life of fake relationships, hollow purposes and synthetic experiences to fill the relational void. We are unknowingly inviting the predators into our homes and paying monthly fees to make sure they don’t leave.
Friends, let me suggest a few important ways you can fight for you children’s life and for their sobriety and joy whether they’re 1, 7, 13, or 18.
#1- No screen take the place of you, their parent:
I get it, we’re all tired, life is busy, we just need a break. I’m not advocating for “no ipads or iphones ever” rather I’m advocating for “electronics in their proper spot” and that spot is beneath real human interaction.
#2- Find the threats and destroy them:
You might have heard “God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life” well the inverse is true too “Satan hates you and has a HORRIFIC plan for you life (and your kids life)”.
John 10:10 says; “The Evil one came to STEAL, KILL, and DESTROY”. To think that there isn’t evil in the world and that there isn’t an agenda for you and your kids is INSANE.
There are REAL threats that seek to destroy you and your kids. Unless you admit that you’ll never have the fortitude or resolve to destroy those destructive thoughts, patterns and habits until it’s too late.
You should constantly be asking; “What is trying to rob my kids hearts toward addiction?” and when you find something may you have the resolve to SMASH IT!
Lastly…
#3- You can’t replace affection and love.
Addiction isn’t just chemical, it’s highly relational. There are no replacements for relational connection and intimacy. If you want to give your kids the best odds of a life that is addiction free that get engaged.
If you have toddlers get on the floor and wrestle. If you have elementary school aged kids than you better play some sports and throw some balls. If you have middle school/high school students than you better have a lot of “coffee dates” to talk, share, listen and engage in life together.
In the end it’s not that complex, if you love, treasure, and value your kids you will find the threats that could derail them into addictive behavior and to almost no end to make sure that there lives are protected from the enemy who wants to steal, kill and destroy.
About the Author:
Ryan Moffat is the teaching pastor at Vast Church in Sisters, OR and is currently working on his Masters in Theology at Western Seminary in Portland, OR
Ryan received his BS in Bible and Theology and a minor in counseling from Multnomah University. He has pastored students, families and is passionate about Christ-centered recovery and healing. He’s been married to his beautiful wife Michelle for 13 years and they enjoy raising four crazy, unique and special kids together.
The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective of addictions. These are not necessarily the views of Addiction Hope, but an effort to offer discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.
We at Addiction Hope understand that addictions result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. If you or a loved one are suffering from an addiction, please know that there is hope for you, and seek immediate professional help.
Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on March 7, 2017
Published on AddictionHope.com