Menu
Bible Gateway logo
account
  • read
    Read
    the Bible
    • Reading Plans
    • Advanced Search
    • Available Versions
    • Audio Bibles
  • study
    Study
    Tools
    • Scripture Engagement
    • More Resources
  • plus
    Bible Gateway
    Plus
  • explore
    Explore
    More
    • News & Knowledge
    • Newsletters
    • Devotionals
    • Bible Gateway App
    • Bible Audio App
    • Bible Gateway Blog
  • store
    Store
    • Bibles
    • Deals
    • More
Verse of the Day—let Scripture guide your day. Sign up now!
close
Go ad-free and access insights alongside every verse—Bible Study Made Simple with Bible Gateway Plus.
close
account Log In/Sign Up show menu
Hungarian New Translation (NT-HU)
Version
Bible Book List Bible Book List
Font Size Font Size

◀Devotionals/Family Talk Night Light for Parents - Thursday, May 8, 2025
Share Print
Prev Day Prev Day
Reading Completed Reading Completed | May 8, 2025 Use the calendar to view readings from this plan. close
Next Day Next Day

Use the calendar to view readings from this devotional.

May 2025 Previous Next
Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa
        1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30 31
Return to today's reading

Log in to read this devotional and:

  • Have reminders sent directly to your email
  • Record your reading progress
  • Pause your devotional at any time to read at your own pace
Log In

Family Talk Night Light for Parents

Duration: 365 days

Parental Doubt

An anxious heart weighs a man down. Proverbs 12:25

A few years ago, Focus on the Family conducted a survey on the most common frustrations of parenting. The majority of mothers and fathers did not criticize their children, but said they were troubled by their own inadequacies. Comments such as “I’ve lost confidence in my ability to parent” and “I’ve failed my children” revealed just how deep this mind-set reaches in today’s society.

It was not always so. Parents of previous generations worried about economic depression, world wars, and later the cold war with Russia. Mothers and fathers didn’t invest much effort in hand-wringing over their children, at least not until a problem developed. When I (JCD) asked my dad if he worried about all the things that could go wrong in raising a child, he smiled sheepishly and said, “Honestly, Bo (his pet name for me), I never really gave that a thought.”

The self-doubt that plagues so many parents today is largely a cultural phenomenon. If you are among these parents, we suggest you turn away from the world’s whispers and focus on the comfort and truth that come from our heavenly Father: “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you” (Psalm 55:22). You can no more be a perfect parent than you can be a perfect human being. Lean on the Lord to make up the difference—and don’t let anxiety and guilt steal the joy of parenting.

Before you say good night…

Are you ruled by self-doubt as parents?

What attitude does God want you to have toward parenting?

Heavenly Father, we ask You for the faith to believe in Your love and Your power totally. We know that faith is a gift from You, and we ask for a faith strong enough to banish all doubt and establish all trust. Amen.

  • From Night Light For Parents, by Dr. James & Shirley Dobson
    Copyright © 2000 by James Dobson, Inc. All rights reserved.
Prev Day Prev Day
Top
Next Day Next Day

About

  • About
  • News & Knowledge
  • Statement of Faith
  • Mobile App
  • Store
  • Blog
  • Newsroom
  • Support Us

Help

  • FAQs
  • Tutorials
  • Use Bible Gateway on Your Site
  • Advertise with us
  • Contact us
  • Privacy policy
  • California Privacy Rights
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
  • Cookie notice
  • Site: Terms of use
  • Widget: Terms of use

Our Network

  • FaithGateway
  • StudyGateway
  • ChurchSource
  • HarperCollins Christian Publishing
  • Grupo Nelson
  • Editorial Vida
  • Thomas Nelson
  • WestBow Press
  • Zondervan
  • MasterLectures

Social

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • TikTok
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Preferences

  • Versión en español
  • Preferences
Sign Up for Bible Gateway: News & Knowledge
Get weekly Bible news, info, reflections, and deals in your inbox.

By submitting your email address, you understand that you will receive email communications from Bible Gateway, a division of The Zondervan Corporation, 501 Nelson Pl, Nashville, TN 37214 USA, including commercial communications and messages from partners of Bible Gateway. You may unsubscribe from Bible Gateway’s emails at any time. If you have any questions, please review our Privacy Policy or email us at privacy@biblegateway.com.

Preferences

  • Versión en español
  • Preferences