For some time now, I've been talking with the Lord on certain subjects and each and every time it comes down to one subject - Children.
Children are a gift from God, they are very special. It grieves my heart when I hear that a child has either been murdered by their parents or be involved in many gruesome activities. I want to highlight what neglect and abuse can do to your children .
What is neglect?
Neglect is the ongoing failure to meet a child's basic needs and is the most common form of child abuse.
A child may be left hungry or dirty, without adequate clothing, shelter, supervision, medical or health care.
A child may be put in danger or not protected from physical or emotional harm.
They may not get the love, care and attention they need from their parents.
A child who's neglected will often suffer from other abuse as well. Neglect is dangerous and can cause serious, long-term damage - even death.
(Types of Neglect)
Physical neglect
Failing to provide for a child’s basic needs such as food, clothing or shelter. Failing to adequately supervise a child,or provide for their safety.
Educational neglect
Failing to ensure a child receives an education.
Emotional neglect
Failing to meet a child’s needs for nurture and stimulation, perhaps by ignoring, humiliating, intimidating or isolating them. It’s often the most difficult to prove.
Medical neglect
Failing to provide appropriate health care, including dental care and refusal of care or ignoring medical recommendations.
In our society, Neglect is very high and it's also very common. While we know what it can do physically, what does it do mentally?
Someone who has suffered neglect will often grown up alone, afraid to make relationships and unable to look after themselves. People who are neglected will often stay silent for fear of the resulting consequences and what could happen next.
Now, what is abuse?
Child abuse is any action by another person – adult or child – that causes significant harm to a child. It can be physical, sexual or emotional, but can just as often be about a lack of love, care and attention. We know that neglect, whatever form it takes, can be just as damaging to a child as physical abuse.
An abused child will often experience more than one type of abuse, as well as other difficulties in their lives. It often happens over a period of time, rather than being a one-off event. And it can increasingly happen online.
We estimate that over half a million children are abused in the UK each year.
People who are abused will almost certainly experience a mental breakdown and within the recent past, it's been decided that if you fail to provide emotional support, you can get sent to prison.
Psalm 105:15 - "Touch not my anointed; do my prophets no harm"
Romans 12:19 - "Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge, I will repay", says the Lord
Those that have been neglected and abused will always harbour feelings towards the perpetrators but God is saying to leave it to him, let him avenge on your behalf.
Children need space and time to grow, time to flourish and time to be themselves. Children also need to be in an environment which is conducive for them and also a place where they feel loved and wanted. They also need consistency in their lives
Proverbs 22:6 - "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it"
Help your children to live well, don't cut short the assignment that God has placed over their lives. Ending a child's life is not only cutting short their destiny, you are also killing off a whole generation.
Psalm 127:3 - Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him
Children are a gift from God - Treat them well........................................................
You can do something today, help look after a child, help train a child, help a family in need, help a family in the middle of a breakdown. Do something today. Help a child live
