Made for More: 30 Days of Experiencing More Life, Love, and FreedomSample

Day 14: When We Are Young

Jesus was uniquely and amazingly kind, even tender, toward the young. In a culture where children were often overlooked—meant to be seen but not heard—Jesus made space for them, honored them, healed them, even raised them from the dead. He gave them time, attention, and affection, knowing that childhood is a sacred and impressionable season.

When we are young, everything matters. We are forming our views of the world through experiences and encounters. Even as infants and toddlers, we are learning what it means to belong, even if we can’t articulate it with words, we demonstrate it with arms up, smiles and giggles, crying out and being soothed. And the desire to be seen and wanted and cared for doesn't leave us as we grow, it goes with us. Over time we learn some strategies based on deep beliefs on how to behave, and—often subconsciously—we come to believe what we must do or not do to be loved and arrange for life and certainly sophisticated game plans for how to not get hurt. These early impressions and interpretations and then systems, they first shape us, then they attempt to either protect or promote us, all at work more than we realize. What if what we’ve come to believe isn’t all true? Certainly, what happened to us was real but what if our ability to name it, especially when we were so young, was partially inaccurate?

At our weekend retreats, we often ask this question:

“What are the odds you’ve interpreted your life accurately?”

The truth is, many of us have gotten more than a few things wrong. Along the way, our hearts were handled by others and at times not well, we picked up wounds—moments when something painful happened to us and, with it, a message lodged deep within our hearts. Maybe it was fear. Maybe shame. Maybe the belief that we’re too much or not enough. That kind of wounding moment and its accompanying pain can be heavy and confusing, especially when it happens at a young age.

Jesus spoke directly to the importance of protecting young hearts. In Matthew 18:6, He gave a sobering warning to anyone who would cause a child to stumble. And in verses 16–17, He made it beautifully clear:

“Let the little children come to me. Don’t hinder them, for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these.”

Sadly, many of us can recall hurtful moments that happened, moments that then hindered us—times when someone raised their voice, belittled us, neglected us, or worse. What if Jesus wants to meet us in those memories, not to shame us, but to heal us? What if He wants to take the lies we were told and believed, and replace them with His loving truth? And it’s all tricky, the free will of others, even your free will, what God doesn’t seem to prevent from happening in our lives, clearly isn't all good. And so, what is not good, God’s Word says He will make good. Romans 8:28, And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Sin is never good, wounding, hurting, being missed, having our hearts bruised by the actions and words of others, its never good, and it is not God’s will for His daughters and sons. What wasn't good in our past, God wants to make a way, He provides a way, a redeeming way to lovingly care for our pain and heal us with the goodness of his care, freeing us from lies and restoring us to life.

That’s been my journey. I’ve had to learn to see such shaping moments from my past, name the lies I believed because of them, and bring them to God, and say: “I don’t want this to define me anymore. Jesus, what do You say? Who am I to You?” And then... listen.

Healing often comes the way it should have in the first place—by being tenderly cared for. Having the moment interpreted accurately with empathy, sympathy, and even a righteous anger that says, that wasn’t right, and I’m here, with you, holding you and it. I’ll take care of you, and believe me, I’ll take care of it. Your heart, especially the younger parts of it, needs these healing moments to happen, even if they are weeks, years or decades later from the moment. Our hearts still need protection, still need love. And Jesus is not just able to go back with you but eager to offer both.

This world can feel more like a battlefield than a playground, as A.W. Tozer once said. But you are not alone in the fight. Jesus is with you, advocating for your healing. And from that healing? You’ll eventually discover the capacity to be able to love others in the very same way.

As you reflect on all this with God today, consider asking Him:

Jesus, thank you for loving me, especially when I was young. My journey has had some moments I would like to talk to you about. Would you meet me in those moments, with my younger self, and help me give you what was false in those moments, and for you to give me, through an experience with you, what is true?

Holy Spirit, you are the comforter and guide. I invite you to guide me into the truth. Would you replace the wounding moments in my life with loving words and care?

Father, is there one phrase or sentence that feels like it’s just for me today? Would You help me hear it clearly and understand why it matters?