It’s all good.” You’ve seen that message on cards, in frames, maybe even on a cross-stitch sampler. The scriptural source for the message talks of God working out everything for our good (Rom. 8:28). When your family trembles through trauma, you can’t help wondering how it is for the best. Reaching that peaceful plateau can seem to take forever.

Another approach is the “This too shall pass” mentality. But that makes you feel as if you’re doing something wrong and must wait for good luck to return. A time will come to tell your kids that life is tough. Sometimes you won’t even be in the boat when the ocean starts churning. You’ll barely be treading water.

When inevitable difficulties occur, your response will light the way for your kids. Do you curse God and blame Him for the mistakes you made? Or do you take a deeper look at the situation and learn from failed opportunity? Despite the pain, reason can reign. With practice you can weed out patterns that drive you and your children into the ruts of life—though that doesn’t mean you’ll avoid all the bumps in the road.

God stands alongside you. You can and will get through sickness, job loss, sadness, and pain. Though climbing that difficult hill hurts, you can outlast the bruising storm.

In life’s ebb and flow, allow your children to see both good and bad. Don’t focus on the latter or ignore the former. Our roughest moments are less so because of God’s presence. Teach your children this truth and give them a lifeline of hope, something secure to hang onto when you are no longer there to help them through difficult waters.