The frenzied pace of modern life, marked by stress, anxiety, and busyness, burdens many adults in Western nations, leaving them struggling to cope. This relentless pace also impacts the next generation, raising concerns about their well-being. If children are not properly instructed and cared for amidst this chaos, they risk becoming lost. While troubling trends among youth are not yet the norm, there are encouraging signs of change, with parts of the culture prioritizing security and nurturing for the younger generation. Homeschooling is on the rise, and more mothers with young children are leaving the workplace, recognizing the high cost of pursuing careers over family. Most crucially, fathers are called to reject materialism, narcissism, and societal pressures, stepping up to provide leadership, security, attention, involvement, and instruction to prevent any more children from being lost.

Western civilization, particularly in the U.S., struggles with an unhealthy obsession with children, often placing them at the center of life to the detriment of other priorities. Parents hover over their children, monitoring every move, showering them with material possessions to ensure popularity, and neglecting discipline by resorting to bribes and pleading. This idolization leads to selfish, undisciplined children who grow up either incompetent and codependent or hostile and eager to escape smothering influence. Such behavior results in unhealthy family relationships, leaving parents miserable and resentful when their children fail to develop self-reliance or distance themselves entirely. When parents prioritize children over God, they violate the command to love Him first with all their heart, mind, body, and strength. God designed humans to worship Him alone, and when this core need is unmet, the drive to worship seeks other targets, often landing on children in this society. Worshipping humans, including children, damages both the worshipped and the worshipper, warping individuals into prideful, rude, and unpleasant beings. In contrast, worshipping God fosters humility, kindness, and graciousness. God's commands to prioritize Him are for our health, safety, protection, and future, ensuring balance in life. Parents must teach children to honor them without setting an example of overly honoring the children themselves. Viewing a child as one's life or core essential signals misplaced priorities, as God alone should fulfill needs for total love and acceptance, providing our true sense of identity. While loving and caring for one another is essential, it must remain secondary to giving all of ourselves to God, appreciating His gifts without valuing them more than Him.

Europe's childless leadership reflects a troubling attitude toward children, symbolizing the continent's decline. The increasing number of childless politicians in Western Europe's major nations suggests a lack of hope for the future. The loss of children is seen as a universal curse on society, stemming from self-indulgence, self-centeredness, and pride, which render children undesirable as they hinder personal pleasures. In contrast, God grants children as a heritage and reward to those who fear Him, bringing hope for the future.