48 Case Studies 19: The Fearful Parent

Photo: ©South_agency from Getty Images Signature via Canva.com

Biff, a Certified Nutritionist and devoted father, is navigating the complexities of parenting children with a disease that suppresses their immune systems. While the children show no symptoms, Biff is highly aware that the bacteria in their bodies thrive on refined sugar. Determined to protect their health, he strictly avoids allowing his kids to consume sugar but occasionally compromises in social settings, leaving him overwhelmed with guilt and fear.

Life Over Coffee Devotions

• 31-Day Marriage Devotion
• 31-Day Parenting Devotion
• 31-Day Young Adult Devotion

This fear of harm has led Biff to avoid all social events, believing it is the way to effectively control his children’s diet. Both Biff and Mable are deeply committed to raising their children in a manner that honors the Lord. However, they struggle to balance their responsibility as parents with a proper biblical understanding of God’s sovereignty.

They often find themselves wrestling with the tension between their trust in God and the practical challenges of managing their children’s health. Seeking biblical counsel, Biff and Mable hope to receive guidance on how to parent faithfully while addressing their fears. They desire a way forward that allows them to trust the good Lord’s care without compromising their responsibility to protect their children’s well-being.

Case Study Questions

1. Biff wants to know if he should violate his conscience and feed his kids any sugar because God is sovereign and controls all things. How would you counsel him?
2. How would you walk Biff through the fear-related issues regarding his unwillingness to attend social functions where his kids can eat the wrong foods?
3. What do you think is Biff’s core issue? What main thing would you want to help Biff to see?

Need More Help?

1. If you want to learn more from us, you may search this site for thousands of resources—articles, podcasts, videos, graphics, and more. Please spend time studying the ones that interest you. They are free.
2. If you want to talk to us, we have private forums for those who support this ministry financially. Please support us here if you want to help us keep our resources free.

Rick Thomas

Rick launched the Life Over Coffee global training network in 2008 to bring hope and help for you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. His primary responsibilities are resource creation and leadership development, which he does through speaking, writing, podcasting, and educating.

In 1990 he earned a BA in Theology and, in 1991, a BS in Education. In 1993, he received his ordination into Christian ministry, and in 2000 he graduated with an MA in Counseling from The Master’s University. In 2006 he was recognized as a Fellow of the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC).