Feeling fearful or anxious is a standard a part of the human experience.
Every day, we feel insecure about something—relationships, funds, achievements, due dates, wayward children, politics, you name it. The possibilities are countless. Television and social media don’t help, giving us immediate access to the worst the world has to supply. Even young children, especially those from less-than-ideal environments, but even those with the highest, most stable of situations, can feel anxious about things outside of their control. Some anxiety, stress, or worry is normal. Most of the time it leads us to the One we all know is on top of things—God. His Word gives us every kind of tools to show our anxiety into trust, and we must always put them into practice often. But sometimes, anxiety goes deeper and wishes the foundational truths of God’s Word plus help from a trusted skilled. There’s no shame on this. As someone whose educational background is in counseling, I support getting the assistance our kids need as soon as we all know they need it…
But I invite you to begin the means of getting help by asking for it in prayer.
As my friend Becky Keife says in Praying God’s Word for Your Child’s Anxiety, “When we see our kids struggle and we don’t understand what they’re going through or how we will fix it, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, lost, discouraged. The best news is that we don’t need to have all of the answers. If you’re weary from watching your child suffer otherwise you’re burdened by the burden of trying to unravel their symptoms or discern the suitable type of support they need, please lean in and take heed to Jesus’s invitation to provide you rest” (Matthew 11:28-30 NIV).
Prayer is one of the vital essential parts of Christian parenting today. Unfortunately, it is also one of the vital ignored and underutilized. God has assured us that when we’d like wisdom, He’ll give it (James 1:5). I suggest praying God’s Word on your children since it’s “living and energetic…in a position to judge the thoughts and intentions of the center” (Hebrews 4:12) and since it’ll do exactly what God purposes for it to do in the center of your child (Isaiah 55:11). Prayer is a partnership between you and the God Who loves your child greater than you do. He will use your prayers within the lifetime of your child and in your personal heart to provide you comfort and direction in times of need.
With that in mind, listed below are three scriptures to wish on your anxious child:
Proverbs 19:21
“Many plans are in an individual’s heart, however the Lord’s decree will prevail.”
Prayer: Father, help my children to take comfort within the knowledge that You are in charge and that You see all the things—big and small—happening of their lives. When anxiety threatens to overwhelm them, fill their hearts with faith within the God Who is large enough to know and control all things for his or her good.
Romans 15:13
“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you suspect in order that you might overflow with hope by the ability of the Holy Spirit.”
Prayer: Father, anxiety, and stress could cause a scarcity of belief and trust in Who You are. Help my children imagine You at Your Word and have a foundation of joy and peace. Even when their anxiety goes beyond the norm, may the truths of Your Word ground them and provides them hope.
Isaiah 26:3
“You will keep the mind that relies on you in perfect peace, for it’s trusting in you.”
Prayer: Lord, there are such a lot of stressful things on this world. It’s hard to not dwell on them or feel anxiety over the unknown. Help my children select to maintain their minds focused on what they learn about You and Your Word, trusting in You as an alternative of what they will see.
If you observed that your child is fighting anxiety, begin praying immediately. Look to God’s Word to indicate you what to wish, and convey your petitions to the Lord on their behalf night and day. You may not at all times know what to do, but you possibly can at all times know what to wish. If you wish help learning to wish God’s Word, download your free copy of my how-to guide, How to Pray God’s Word for Your Children. And do not forget to wish for yourself. Ask God to provide you compassion for what your kids are going through, for the strength to follow Him faithfully, and for wisdom for the following step.
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