I f you’ re feeling overwhelmed, unsure, or even afraid about what it looks like to raise gender-confident kids, you’ re not alone. Navigating today’ s cultural landscape can feel like a monumental task. But rather than leaning away, we believe it’ s time to lean in. Yes, it’ s uncomfortable. Yes, it’ s messy. But we don’ t engage from a place of panic or anger. We engage with purpose.
We’ ve identified four postures that help us face these challenges with grace and truth. These postures equip us to engage both our hearts and our children with clarity and courage. They give us the strength to model, teach, and defend God’ s good design while helping our kids see what’ s real and respond with faith.
What posture should we have when we face cultural confusion? We think we should lean in, rather than lean away, even though our instinct tells us it will be uncomfortable. Four postures guide us in engaging our hearts and minds, as well as our children’ s. These postures work together, fueling courage to model, teach, and defend God’ s design. They inspire kids to see things as they really are and act accordingly.
POSTURE # 1: COMPASSION
Every parent wonders,“ Am I doing enough?” Many carry guilt and sadness, while others feel fear, anger, and disappointment. These are heavy burdens God never intended us to carry alone. God wants us to develop hearts of compassion so we can guide our kids faithfully without compromising the truth.
When we meet struggling students, we tell them,“ We hear you, we value the struggles you face, and we are confident that God is working in your life to align you with His truth.” This breaks down barriers of defensiveness that keep kids stuck. God designed everything in His world to grow— including us!
Compassion is essential because identity struggles are complex. Some children feel genuine confusion. Others don’ t identify with cultural stereotypes about gender or have
COMPASSION, HOPE, AND TRUTH CHANGE US! AND THEY CAN CHANGE OUR KIDS!
believed the lie that they’ ve been born in the wrong body. Most are experiencing normal growth struggles and just need to know that God designed them the way He did on purpose. God is a compassionate God. He cares. And we have a steadfast hope that His caring nature will strengthen us and our families.
POSTURE # 2: HOPE
Compassion invites hope, which is the belief that a positive outcome is possible when we wait on God. Unlike naive optimism, hope has a firm foundation.
Kathy keeps small pieces of gold twine in her home, purse, and briefcase as a powerful reminder of Isaiah 40:30 – 31, which promises renewed strength to those who hope in the Lord. She also wears a ring that resembles interwoven twine, a reminder of the Hebrew word qavah, meaning hope or wait, which refers to strands twisting together to form a durable cord.
Hope can be firmly woven into our lives because God is faithful( Hebrews 10:23). Because of this, we can assure our children, even when the conversations are challenging, that God is strengthening their spirits and weaving a beautiful tapestry in their lives.
RENEWANATION. ORG 31