10 Uplifting Bible Verses for Special Needs Parents

Here are 10 Bible verses for special needs parents to offer you hope and peace.

Special needs moms and dads, God promises to never leave you or forsake you. All parenting is tough, but parenting children with special needs brings additional challenges. As a mom of children with unique needs, I get it. Read the messages God’s Word has for your journey.

How I Turn to God When Life is Hard as a Special Needs Parent

I drew a shaky breath as I hung up the phone.

The school principal had called.

Again.

These calls from my son’s school principal were becoming more frequent… and his behaviors more serious.

When did I become that parent? The one a first name basis with the principal due to her child’s behavior?

This isn’t where I wanted to be.

When you are a mother or father of a special needs child, it’s easy for overwhelm to become a normal part of your life.

Raising a child with special needs is challenging. These Scripture verses help me keep perspective. While it’s not easy, God gave me my children as a blessing.

You continually work to meet other people’s needs. Oh, how easy it is to forget to take care of yourself which leads to exhaustion, anger, and sleep deprivation.

Are a special needs mom or dad who is feeling tired, depleted and run dry? Here are ten Bible verses for the special needs parent to bring you hope today.

Most of all, please know that you are not alone.

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Top 10 Bible Verses for Special Needs Parenting

Parents of kids with special needs, use these Bible verses as a source of comfort and strength on the tough days.

These verses are for:

• moms and dads of differently-abled children
• grandparents of a special needs grandchild
• special needs or special education teachers

1. John 16:33 – Take heart.

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33

During the tough moments, this verse from John gives me encouragement. I’ve had days when I sunk into depression and despair because of my kids special needs. There were times I couldn’t even get out of bed because the overwhelm was so great. This verse gave me the motivation to keep going one more day. Take heart. God has overcome.

2. Deuteronomy 3:18 – God will be with you.

“It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”

Deuteronomy 31:8

We’ve been through incredible trials while parenting our children with special needs, like surgeries and hospital stays, court situations, calling the police, false accusations and more. During these trials, I remind myself that God goes before me. I don’t have to be afraid.

3. Psalm 139:14 – Fearfully and wonderfullly made

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well”

Psalm 139:14

Your child is created by God. No matter the challenges, God has a plan and purpose for his or her life. There might be times that you wonder why God gave you a disabled child. Don’t feel guilty. All of us have these thoughts.

In the same way, YOU are created by God and gifted with everything you need for the task at hand. You and your child are each God’s masterpiece.

4. Psalm 46:10 – Be still and know.

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”

Psalm 46:10

Life with a special needs child can be frantic. There are therapies, doctor appointments, specialists, IEP meetings and so much more. Sometimes I simply need to step away from the madness and give myself a mental rest. Some days that’s just 5 minutes on the couch, and sometimes it’s a time of personal retreat, but either way this verse reminds me to be still and trust in God.

5. 1 Peter 4:8 – Love covers a multitude of sins.

“ Keep your love for one another at full strength, because love covers a multitude of sins.”

1 Peter 4:8

There’s heartbreak during the journey of being a special needs mom or dad. On top of the diagnosis and challenges, people let you down. Doctors don’t have all the answers. Well-meaning family members make hurtful comments. Friends quit coming around. Systems are broken and don’t give the expected support. While not easy, I’ve learned that handling the situation with love and grace is the Godly way.

6. Matthew 11:28-29- I will give you rest

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Matthew 11:28-29

As a special needs parent, you are in a season of labor. There is plenty of physical work and much more emotionally to bear. Come to Jesus and allow Him to carry the burden for you.

7. Psalm 68:19 – God daily bears your burdens.

“Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.”

Psalm 68:19

I love this verse because it says “daily” God bears or burdens. That means I need to give it to God every day instead of trying to do it on my own. Will you give God your burdens today?

8. John 9:1-3 – God’s works are displayed in him.

“As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, ‘It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.'”

John 9:1-3

As a special needs mom, this is one of the most powerful verses in all of Scripture to give me hope. God isn’t punishing me or my children. I don’t believe God wants these challenges for our family, yet I also believe God will somehow use it for His good purposes. I trust in that during the hardest of times.

9. Exodus 4:11 – He gives sight to the blind.

“The Lord said to him, ‘Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord?’”

Exodus 4:11

One of the hard-won blessings of parenting a child with genetic condition is that I’ve learned to appreciate the bodies God gives us. Before I became a parent, I took my body for granted and to be honest, because of my weight, hated it rather than appreciating it. I’ve come to appreciate all the blessings of a healthy body and to focus on what mine (and my child’s) can do instead of what it can’t.

10. Proverbs 14:1 – A wise woman builds her house.

The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.”

Proverbs 14:1

This verse from Proverbs is an important reminder to me of my role in our family. When I’m doing well, the whole family functions better. When I’m struggling, they all struggle. My mood sets the tone for the whole house. This is a great responsibility and challenge to take care of myself so I can be at my best for them. I can’t do it alone but I know it’s possible with the power of the Holy Spirit at work within me.

During the times you feel overwhelmed, turn to God for comfort and hope. Remember, God loves your child even more than you do and has a plan for your child’s life that’s beyond what you can imagine.

Are you a special needs parent? What Bible verses comfort you during difficult times? Please share in the comments below. Your words will help other parents who are in similar situations.

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