Fear

More and more kids are struggling with social anxiety, phobias, panic attacks, and generalized anxiety. If one of the kids in your home struggles with fear, you are not alone. In this week’s Brite lesson, kids learn that God is with us when we are afraid. When your child opens up about their fears, be cautious not to diminish their feelings by saying something like, “Tests aren’t a big deal, you will have to learn how to get over that” or “You’re really scared of that?” Instead, validate their feelings but don’t dwell on the fear. Be willing to share something you have feared in your life. Point to Jesus always.

Here’s how we discussed this topic and how you can discuss it at home:

Discuss: What are some things kids your age are afraid of?

Discuss: How do you react when you are scared?

Discuss: What does God have to say about when we are afraid?

Say: The Bible tells us not to fear more than 300 times, not because God gets mad at us or because we are failures if we feel afraid. Rather, it’s because God knew that fear would be a big struggle for all of us. He is a loving Father who cares for us. Some of us struggle with smaller fears. We don’t like snakes or walking in a dark hallway. Kids in our world struggle with fear. If that’s you, know that you aren’t alone. God understands your feelings and wants you to talk to Him about them. It’s also okay to talk to an adult you trust about what you are feeling. And remember, you are not alone because Jesus is always with you. Psalm 56:3 says: When I am afraid, I put my trust in You. This verse is great to remember and repeat when fear seems overwhelming. Jesus is more powerful than everything we face, and He is always with us.