It is the enemy's job to be the accuser of the brethren (Rev. 12:10). As parents, he tries to make us feel guilty for things we have done and haven’t done, for things we have said and haven’t said. That covers just about everything.

God’s Word says that as believers we are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus (2 Cor. 5:21). According to the book of Proverbs, the righteous may fall seven times a day.

This Scripture says:

For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again… (Prov. 24:16)

So what must the righteous do when they fall; when they make mistakes, when they miss it or when they just plainly commit a sin? They must get back up again!

We should be known as the “getting-up people."

The world should be able to look at us and see the hope that is in us. But not because we are perfect; we aren’t.

They will be able to see us go through the same tests and trials that they face. For some reason though, it seems we always come out smelling like a rose. We are like a cat that gets thrown in the air - it always lands on its feet. The world sees us like that and wonders why. We must give them the answer: His name is Jesus!

It’s the wicked man, the Bible says, who falls down, refuses to get up and just wants to lie there (Ps. 36:12). Feeling sorry for himself and for his situation, the wicked man wants pity. But God is not moved out of pity. He cries when we cry, but He is moved only by faith. Faith comes from hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17).

From this day forward, don't let the enemy keep you in the past, or keep you under condemnation for things you may or may not have done. From this day forward, remember that you are not a perfect parent, but you are a "getting back up" parent! Let's be quick to repent, quick to forgive and start moving forward.

You can't do anything about the past except to repent. Once that’s done, then it’s time to start growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We are going to be doers of the Word. If we fall, we have to get back up. “All things are possible to him that believeth” (Mark 9:23).
 
PRAYER:
Father, in the name of Jesus, I come to You and I confess that, as a parent, I realize I can do nothing without Jesus, but that with Him all things are possible.

I refuse to let the devil hold me in the past any longer.  In accordance with Your Word in 1 John 1:9, I ask that you forgive me of any sins I have committed against You, my family, my fellowman or even against my own flesh. I thank you for washing me clean by the blood of Your Son, Jesus.

Father, give me wisdom as a parent to train up my child in the way he should go.

For my child, I ask three things:

First: Teach my child to fear You! (Prov. 9:10)

Second: Surround my child with the shield of divine favor. (Ps. 5:12)

Third: Send godly friends into my children’s lives who will sharpen them like iron and cause them to be all You want them to be. (Prov. 27:17) Amen!