Parenting with Courage: Choosing God’s Way Over the World’s Way by Elyse Derian, momQ

Some days, parenting feels like trying to solve a puzzle with missing pieces.

You plan, you pray, you do everything “right,” and then life throws a curveball. A surprise diagnosis. A sudden move. A schedule that turns upside down. And suddenly, the world seems to have all the answers, but none of them align with how God is leading your family.

This is where bold faith comes in.

Bold faith is choosing to trust God, even when your instincts—or everyone else’s opinions—tell you to panic. It’s saying “no” when the world says “yes,” and “yes” when the world says “why bother?”

It might look like slowing down when everyone else is rushing.

It might look like speaking truth with love when silence would be easier.

It might look like trusting God’s timing even when it doesn’t match the calendar.

Recently, our family has been walking through one of these moments. We’ve had to make a decision that doesn’t make sense to most people around us. The world says we should choose the safe, predictable route, the one that looks good on paper. But after much prayer, we know God is asking us to take a different path. It requires setting aside our own plans, our own comfort, and our desire for control. Honestly, it’s hard. Some days we question, “Did we hear Him right?” Yet, every time we bring it back to God, He reminds us that His way and His timing are always better.

And here’s the heart of it:

Bold faith doesn’t base decisions on the shifting opinions of the day.  It anchors itself in the steady, unchanging Word of God.

While the internet shouts a thousand different answers, Scripture points us to truth that does not move. That’s the foundation we want to build our family on, not popular opinion, but eternal wisdom.

And this is where parenting with bold faith is most tested. Because while we wrestle with uncertainty, our kids are watching. They’re learning how to respond when life doesn’t add up neatly. They’re watching us choose trust over fear, surrender over striving. They see that faith is not just words, it’s lived out in the hard, uncomfortable, and sometimes unpopular decisions.

Our kids notice. They notice how we respond when life surprises us. They learn that faith isn’t just a Sunday ritual, it’s a daily choice.

Ways to Parent with Bold Faith Every Day

Here are some practical ways parents can live out bold faith in everyday moments, with real-life examples:

1. Pray out loud with your children – Even when mornings are hectic, kneel by your child’s bed for a 30-second prayer before school. Your child hears that God is part of every day.

2. Say “no” when necessary – When a friend invites your child to an activity that doesn’t align with your family values, saying “no” shows courage and sets boundaries, teaching your child that faith sometimes means making tough choices.

3. Show grace in conflict – When your child throws a tantrum in public, responding with calm words and a gentle hug rather than frustration models patience and love over anger.

4. Trust God’s timing – When plans fall through, narrate your trust out loud: “It’s disappointing we can’t go today, but I know God has a plan for us. Let’s see what fun we can find instead.”

5. Speak hope into hard situations – When a sibling argument or disappointment happens, acknowledge it but frame it with perspective: “I know this feels unfair, but I believe God can help us handle it with patience and kindness.”

Parenting with bold faith also means community. Lean on friends, mentors, and fellow parents who walk the same path. Bold faith isn’t about going it alone. It’s about modeling reliance on God and each other.

Looking different from the world isn’t always easy. It can feel lonely. But the world’s approval isn’t our goal. Raising children with courage, hope, and integrity is.

When we parent with bold faith, we teach our children something powerful: life will throw curveballs, but love, trust, and courage are the anchors that hold us steady. And that’s a legacy worth giving.

If you’re looking for more on how to live out the gospel in your home with your kids, listen to this podcast conversation below with Candace Nassar, founder of MomQ, and Emily Schuch, author of Majoring in Motherhood. They discuss the challenges of motherhood, the importance of living out the gospel in parenting, and the struggles of self-empowerment and mom guilt. Emily shares her personal experiences and insights on how motherhood serves as a mirror reflecting our own weaknesses and the grace we need to embrace. The conversation emphasizes the significance of faith, encouragement, and the humor found in the glorious chaos of motherhood.

Emily Schuch: The Glorious Chaos of Motherhood.