But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7, NIV

Have you ever felt the need to put on the full armor of God just to make it through another challenging day at school? Maybe you’ve faced a difficult student, a frustrating parent conversation, or a situation with a coworker that left you feeling like you were facing a battle.

Teaching is not for the faint of heart. There are certainly days when we need every bit of God’s protection. But as we put on the armor of God every morning, we need to remember something important: the people in front of us are not the enemy.

Recently, I have been doing deep-dive studies of 1 John and of the Lord’s Prayer. In both of them, there is a strong emphasis on “we” and “us.”  In fact, in the model of prayer that Jesus showed us, there is no use of “I” or “me” or “mine.”  It is all “we” and “us” and “our.” 

Similarly, much of the first part of 1 John emphasizes “we” and “us.” Jesus and John are both reminding us that we are all human and we all have the opportunity to receive God’s Love. We all, teachers and students both, fall short and struggle. But we need to be doing this together.

This perspective can make a difference in the classroom…

When we begin thinking about our students not as problems to solve but as young people whose futures matter, our approach can change. We aren’t simply trying to get them to complete an assignment, follow a rule, or master a particular concept. We are helping them grow.

The same is true when we talk with parents. Instead of beginning a difficult conversation from a place of frustration, what if we began with, “I know you want the best possible future for your child, and I do, too”? 

Suddenly, we’re no longer standing on opposite sides of an issue. We’re on the same team, working toward the same goal.

It’s easy to get caught up in battles over curriculum, behavior, disrespect, disruptions, or misunderstandings. I know I’ve sometimes allowed a difficult moment to become a battle of wills. But when I remember that the real challenges are things like ignorance, misconceptions, discouragement, and a mindset that says, “I can’t,” I can draw on the spiritual resources God has given me—patience, wisdom, compassion, and love.

So the next time you feel like you’re headed into battle, remember that you are on your student’s side, and you are fighting for his or her future. Give them that knowledge and let them know that you are not fighting with them; you are fighting for them.

Father, help us to remember our struggle is not with the humans, but rather with the enemies of ignorance, prejudice, and apathy. Give us strength and wisdom to overcome so that we can give our students better futures. Amen.

Copyright Philip Bruce.

Philip Bruce loves writing and reading and teaches eighth graders to also love reading in Kentucky.