School shootings, suicide bombings, and crimes against humanity—the world is a mess, isn’t it? It seems like violence is everywhere. It’s on TV, on our kids’ computer games, and now it’s in everyday life. As parents, our job isn’t necessarily to protect our kids from knowing about it. It’s to help our kids understand why it’s happening and what our response should be as Christ-followers. 2 Timothy 3 says in the end times there will be trouble on every side. But Jesus says, “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 ESV). Parents, don’t leave TV or radio on too long only talking about the bad news. Turn it off and remind our kids and ourselves of God’s Good News.

Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. May not copy or download more than 500 consecutive verses of the ESV Bible or more than one half of any book of the ESV Bible.

Suggested Reading: 2 Timothy 3:1-17, John 16:33