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Fostering a child is a selfless and compassionate act that opens your heart and home to a child in need. It comes with its own set of challenges and joys, and sometimes foster parents may seek inspiration and guidance to navigate this unique journey.

For those turning to their faith for support, the Bible offers a wealth of verses that resonate with the essence of foster parenting. In this blog post, we’ll explore a selection of Bible verses that can provide comfort, wisdom, and encouragement to foster parents as they embark on this important mission.

  1. Psalm 68:6 – “God sets the lonely in families”: This verse from Psalm 68 reminds foster parents of the divine purpose behind their role. It emphasizes that God orchestrates the placement of children in families, signaling the sacred nature of fostering. For foster parents, this verse can serve as a powerful affirmation that they are part of God’s plan to provide love and stability to a child who may have experienced loneliness.
  2. Matthew 18:5 – “And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me”: In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus speaks about the importance of welcoming children. This verse resonates deeply with foster parents, reminding them that their acts of kindness and love toward a foster child are seen as an expression of love towards Jesus himself. It encourages foster parents to approach their role with a sense of reverence and devotion.
  3. Proverbs 3:27 – “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due”: Fostering is an opportunity to do good and provide a stable and loving home for a child in need. Proverbs 3:27 encourages foster parents to embrace this opportunity wholeheartedly, reminding them that they have the ability to make a positive impact on a child’s life. The verse emphasizes the importance of seizing the chance to do good and to share the blessings one has received.
  4. Galatians 6:2 – “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ”: Fostering often comes with its own set of challenges and emotional burdens. This verse from Galatians serves as a reminder for foster parents to lean on their faith and community for support. It encourages a sense of shared responsibility and highlights the communal aspect of caregiving. By embracing the challenges together, foster parents can find strength in their shared journey.
  5. Isaiah 1:17 – “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow”: Isaiah’s call to seek justice and defend the oppressed resonates with the heart of foster parenting. Foster parents have the unique opportunity to advocate for children who may have faced adversity and injustice. This verse inspires foster parents to stand up for the rights of the fatherless and embrace their role as advocates for those in need.
  6. James 1:27 – “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world”: This powerful verse from the Book of James emphasizes the purity of caregiving and underscores the importance of looking after those in distress. Foster parents can find solace in the idea that their commitment to providing a loving home aligns with the essence of pure and faultless religion. This was a chapter of the bible we memorized as kids and it continues to stick with me as an adult. This one the verse the kept coming to mind when my husband and I decided to become foster parents.
  7. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 – “Love is patient, love is kind…”: Often referred to as the “Love Chapter,” 1 Corinthians 13 beautifully captures the essence of unconditional love. Fostering requires immense patience, kindness, and resilience, qualities that are beautifully encapsulated in this passage. Foster parents can turn to these verses as a daily reminder of the transformative power of love and its ability to positively impact a child’s life.
  8. Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”: The journey of fostering may at times feel overwhelming, but this verse from Philippians serves as a source of strength for foster parents. It instills the belief that, with faith and reliance on Christ, they can overcome challenges and fulfill their mission of providing a nurturing environment for the child under their care.
  9. Psalm 127:3 – “Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him”: This verse reminds foster parents of the precious gift that children are, reinforcing the idea that caring for and nurturing a child is a blessing.
  10. Proverbs 22:6 – “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old, they will not turn from it”: Foster parents play a crucial role in guiding and shaping a child’s future, and this verse encourages them to lead with wisdom and love.
  11. John 13:34-35 – “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another”: Love is at the core of fostering, and this passage from the Gospel of John emphasizes the transformative power of love in relationships.
  12. Ephesians 6:4 – “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord”: Foster parents, like biological parents, are called to provide not only love but also guidance and spiritual instruction, creating a stable foundation for the child.
  13. Romans 12:13 – “Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality”: Fostering is an embodiment of hospitality and generosity, as foster parents open their homes and hearts to children in need.
  14. Isaiah 58:10 – “And if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday”: Fostering is a selfless act, and this verse from Isaiah highlights the transformative impact of generosity and care.
  15. Colossians 3:23 – “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters”: Fostering requires dedication and wholehearted effort, and this verse encourages foster parents to approach their role with a sense of purpose and commitment.
  16. Psalm 34:18 – “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit”: Fostering often involves working with children who have experienced trauma, and this verse serves as a reminder that God is present in the midst of healing and restoration.
  17. 1 John 3:18 – “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth”: Actions speak louder than words, and this verse encourages foster parents to demonstrate their love through tangible acts of kindness and care.
  18. Matthew 25:35-36 – “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me”: This passage underscores the importance of providing practical support to those in need, echoing the essence of foster parenting.
  19. Deuteronomy 31:6 – “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you”: Fostering can be daunting, but this verse from Deuteronomy instills courage by reminding foster parents that they are not alone in their journey.
  20. Psalm 34:14 – “Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it”: Foster parents are called to create an environment of peace and goodness for the children in their care, and this verse offers guidance in that pursuit.
  21. Philippians 2:4 – “not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others”: Foster parenting involves putting the needs of the child before one’s own, and this verse from Philippians encourages a selfless and others-focused approach.
  22. Psalm 82:3 – “Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed”: Fostering is a form of advocacy for the vulnerable, and this Psalm inspires foster parents to stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves.
  23. Galatians 5:22-23 – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control”: The qualities listed in these verses from Galatians are essential for foster parents, emphasizing the importance of cultivating a spirit-led approach in caregiving.
  24. 1 Peter 4:10 – “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms”: Fostering is a unique gift, and this verse encourages foster parents to use their abilities and resources to serve the needs of the children placed in their care.
  25. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 – “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing”: Fostering can be emotionally taxing, and this verse encourages foster parents to seek support from their community and to uplift one another in times of need.
  26. Psalm 34:8 – “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him”: This verse invites foster parents to find solace and strength in their faith, trusting in the goodness and refuge provided by the Lord.
  27. Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope”: Foster parents can find reassurance in this promise from Jeremiah, knowing that God has a purposeful plan for the welfare and hope of the children in their care.
  28. Proverbs 16:3 – “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans”: This verse encourages foster parents to commit their caregiving journey to the Lord, trusting in His guidance and the establishment of their plans.
  29. Psalm 91:4 – “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings, you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart”: Foster parents can take comfort in the imagery of God’s protective care, finding refuge and strength in His faithfulness.
  30. Isaiah 43:2 – “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you”: This verse assures foster parents that God is with them through every challenge, providing steadfast support and protection.
  31. Romans 8:28 – “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose”: Fostering may have its challenges, but this promise from Romans reminds foster parents that God is actively working in our lives.

Foster parenting is a noble and challenging calling that requires faith, compassion, and resilience. The Bible offers a wealth of verses that resonate with the unique aspects of fostering, providing guidance and encouragement for those on this journey.

As foster parents, we navigate the ups and downs of caregiving. These verses can serve as a source of inspiration, reminding us of the profound impact we can have on a child’s life and the importance of our role in God’s plan. May these verses uplift and sustain you as you embark on this sacred mission of love and care.

by Elizabeth
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