Teaching Children to Keep Close to Jesus in the Storms of Life :: Naghmeh Panahi [EP33]

Gems of Motherhood

Adversity! We all go through them. Naghmeh Panahi has experienced many storms in her life from persecution to abuse, yet she always knew God was with her. In this week’s podcast, Naghmeh talks about keeping close to Jesus during the storms of life. She shares that problems may persist, turmoil might worsen over time, but God is in control working in the midst of the storms!

When Naghmeh first had her children, her biggest fear was raising them by herself. Her struggle with this persistent fear made her anxious. When it happened that she became a single mother, she was struck by the loneliness of having to do it alone, but her personal suffering drew her closer to Jesus.

“As a mom, I don’t know what’s ahead for my kids… They’ve already gone through a lot. But learning how to stay close to God and finding lasting peace and exemplifying it to my children is important.”

Rather than focus on her abuse, anxiety, fears and loneliness, Naghmeh instead chose to trust God each and every day. Even as she felt like a shell of herself while experiencing abuse at the hands of her ex-husband, she never questioned God’s plan for her life.

“I was an empty shell. I was broken. I felt sorry for myself. I wasn’t mad at God. But I realize I found myself caught up in idolatry.”

Instead, she knew God was there for her, and uses these traumatic experiences to teach her children to keep close to Jesus.

What we chat about

Handling adversity

What happens when you don’t see God in the midst of the storm

Teaching children to handle adversity

Life verses