Affirmation is emotional support and encouragement, and as parents, we get the privilege of affirming our kids every day. It’s no secret that in today’s society, our youth are crippled by feelings of anxiety, fear and the inability to cope when faced with difficult situations.
In addition, many struggle with identity issues and feeling as if they don’t quite fit in. Well, I believe that we can help shape and mold our kids by using affirmations rooted in truth. These phrases will plant seeds that will benefit them for years to come.
Biblical Affirmation
For clarity, I do believe that words of affirmation should be rooted in truth and not just “positive vibes.” With that being said, the words of affirmation that I have chosen for my children are grounded in scripture. The Bible is filled with encouraging words that can help shape and mold the next generation.
I am loved.
Our children need to know that they are valued, seen and loved. God loves our children so much that He gave His Son so that they could have a relationship with Him. Our children need to know that the Creator of the world loves them.
This might seem small, but the impact of those three words are huge. Our children are loved no matter what! The best part about His love is that it is unconditional, given freely, and it is always chasing them down. (I John 4:9-10, John 3:16).
I am special and unique.
Oftentimes, society will try to put our children in boxes or even label them… gifted, average, below average, etc. The Word of God says otherwise. He knows the number of hairs on their head and He has given them a specific purpose that only they can fulfill. Let’s encourage our children in seeing themselves as fearfully and wonderfully made. (Ephesians 2:10, Psalm 139:13-17).
I am a leader.
As believers we know that true leaders are characterized by a servant’s heart. Jesus modeled this for us in his interactions with the disciples and the droves of people He influenced while he was on Earth.
We want our children to put others before themselves, which is the true mark of a leader. Christ did that when He gave His life on the cross for our sins. Our children are meant for greatness and in the kingdom, the least (servant) is the greatest. (Philippians 2:5-8, John 13:34).
I am good listener.
If you knew my six-year old, then you would know why this is so important. Matthew can talk just like me and I have learned that oftentimes that makes me a poor listener. We want our children to be great listeners because that is where knowledge and growth can occur.
As adults, we can get used to speaking or forming a response prior to getting all the information. The ability to listen, critically think, and then respond are all traits that we would like to see in our children. (James 1:19, Proverbs 21:23)
My identity is found in Christ.
I believe that if our children can understand and grasp this affirmation, then it is a major game changer. Our children are made in the image of God. Their Heavenly Father loves them unconditionally and calls them His own. He has crafted a place just for them and that is in His love. He has redeemed them from sin and death through Christ, which allows us to be in relationship with him.
When I finally began to understand that at the age of 38, it set me free from the expectations of others. My prayer is that our children would realize this sooner than later because once you experience that freedom, you are then able to be all that He wants you to be! (Ephesians 1:3-14, Genesis 1:27).
Final thoughts
There are so many more affirmations that I could add to the list, such as being compassionate, intelligent, and a giver, but I believe that this is a great starting point. I want to encourage you to dig into Scripture to see what the Father says about our children. We love them with all our hearts, but His love for them surpasses what we could ever give. Let’s make these affirmations part of their world and encourage them on towards greatness.
Hi, my name is Felicia Tucker, and I am a wife and mom of three. My world consists of fostering a healthy marriage and nurturing my children, while integrating that into my career. I am learning how to enjoy the small moments, not sweat the small stuff, and go to sleep with the toys strewn over the living room floor.
Hi Felicia! I love this post. We do need to affirm our children with truth about who they are and whose they are. I have tried to do this with my own kids. Like, reminding them they are loved no matter what; not for what they do, but just for being them. And the cool thing is they are reminding me of these truths when I need them. And they are reminding others of these truths. Imagine how better our homes would be if we were affirming each other and then these affirmations rippled out to others and just kept getting passed on.