The whole world has changed in the few short days since we last posted. With the events surrounding the coronavirus, we’ve been handed some uncertain times. But you can still win as a dad.
During this tough time, us dads can have a big impact on how our kids not only perceive this crisis, but on how they handle all the crises they will face in the future.
The things you do and say during this time will shape their perspective on how to respond and where to turn when tough times hit.
So, how can we lead well as dads during this tough time?
We’re in tough times. But, here’s what we know, tough times aren’t new. Tough times will happen and will continue to happen. That’s not a question. The question becomes: what will you do about it?
The way us dads approach these times is crucial for your family. Let’s keep three things in mind as we approach tough times. To help you remember them, I’ve organized them into an acronym. Here’s how you can “WIN” as a Dad: Be WISE, be INTROSPECTIVE, and be NOTICING.
You can watch the full video about “Leading Well in Trying Times” and share it here.
Win as a dad: be WISE.
“I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion.” —Proverbs 8:12
During these tough times, let’s be dads who pass down the facts—in everything we tell our kids and even what we share on facebook.
When we’re presented with something like this virus, we must understand a lot of facts simply haven’t come out yet. If you’re like me, you remember the swine flu. It was supposed to be the next big catastrophe—it turned out to not even be as deadly as the normal flu. Don’t email me! I’m just pointing out, at this moment, we don’t have ALL of the data. When we don’t have all of the data—it tends to push us to two extreme reactions:
Extreme reaction #1 We completely panic. We duck tape our own mouths. We stay in the house. Or, if we leave the house, it’s to run over other people at Wal-Mart to get the last bottle of hand sanitizer.
Extreme reaction #2 We think everything’s a hoax by the media. We think it’s made up and we’ll just lick door handles, swim at the community center, and all the other stuff we normally do.
Both of these extremes aren’t wise. We’re not protecting our families or making good choices like this. We need to be dads who find facts and suspend judgement. It comes down to doing what’s right for your family at the right time.
Dad, is Scripture calling you? Wisdom wants you. Do you hear her calling? There’s something wrapped up in wisdom that’s fair-minded, balanced, honest, moderate, sober. Do you have it? Are your kids seeing it in you?
Win as a dad: be INTROSPECTIVE.
“Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity,and I have trusted in the Lord without wavering. 2 Prove me, O Lord, and try me;test my heart and my mind.“—Psalm 26:1-2
During crazy times, we have to look inside and decide, where do we place our trust? Times like these reveal what we truly believe.
When I played more golf than I do now, a friend of mine said, on the course, he could tell how much I’d practiced (not at all) by my swing on the course. When you’re playing a round of golf—your practice—how many times you’ve hit balls, is revealed by your golf game on the course that day. Point is: my buddy didn’t have to ask how much I’d practiced on the range, he could tell by how I hit the ball on the course.
So, if you were watching me talk about this current challenge over dinner with my family, what beliefs would you assume I have?
Psalm 26:2 says, “Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity,and I have trusted in the Lord without wavering. 2 Prove me, O Lord, and try me;test my heart and my mind.“
Would you say this to God? If you’re like me, probably not. But the Psalmist here is saying, “test me” and that’s where we need to be. We need to have practiced so well that we’re ready for tough times.
If you came out and watched my golf game, you wouldn’t have to wonder how much I practice each day. You’d know by how I play the game—that the amount of practice time is ZERO. : )
The same is true for how we lead our homes. If you visited my home for dinner, would you see a home governed by peace and assurance or would we look panicked and afraid?
Win as a dad: be NOTICING.
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.“ —Matthew 5:14-16
We have to see this for what it is—a big opportunity! This is your chance to show the marks that reveal us as believers.
Are you looking for opportunities to pray for people? Your wife, your kids, others in a different situation.
It’s moments like these, we have an opportunity to shine like Jesus said in Matthew 5—so that we glorify God.
Are we noticing the needs around us? This might be a great time to comfort and shepherd those around you more than ever.
Dad, you and I have a great opportunity to point our families to God. By how we talk to them, what we talk about, what we don’t talk about, how we act. This is more true during tough times than any other day.
We pray that during this time you’ll lean in to your family and become a Father On Purpose.
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