avatarJacquelyn Lynn

Summary

The article provides guidance for children on overcoming fear by practicing deep breathing exercises and trusting in God's protection.

Abstract

The article, adapted from a children's church message, addresses the common experience of fear among children and suggests practical and spiritual methods to cope with it. The author encourages children to perform deep breathing exercises to alleviate immediate feelings of fear, emphasizing the importance of taking deep breaths through the nose and exhaling through the mouth. Additionally, the article highlights the significance of trusting in God, quoting scripture to reassure children that God is like a shepherd who will not abandon them. The piece concludes with a prayer that reinforces the message of trust and reliance on God during scary times, aiming to instill a sense of security and comfort in young readers.

Opinions

  • Fear is a natural emotion that children experience, which can be triggered by various things such as darkness, monsters, snakes, and alligators.
  • Deep breathing exercises are presented as a self-help technique to manage fear, involving slow, deep breaths in through the nose and out through the mouth.
  • The article conveys a strong religious opinion that trusting in God is essential and more effective than self-help techniques for overcoming fear.
  • The author believes that God provides for all needs, eliminating the necessity to worry, and that this belief can help children remain fearless even in challenging situations.
  • The use of scripture, specifically from 2 Timothy 1:7 and Deuteronomy 31:6, serves to reinforce the opinion that faith in God instills power, love, and self-discipline, rather than a spirit of fear and timidity.
  • The prayer included in the article is a demonstration of the author's opinion on the importance of prayer and communication with God as a means of dealing with fear.

What Should You Do When You’re Afraid?

A message for children of all ages

Image created by Jacquelyn Lynn using MockupShots

This story is adapted from a message I wrote for children’s time at church.

Do you ever get afraid? What kind of things are you afraid of?

[When I was presenting this to the children, I let them talk about being afraid of the dark, of monsters, snakes, and alligators.]

There are a lot of things you can do when you get afraid. Here’s something that I read about this week.

Let’s stand up. Relax. Very slowly, breathe in through your nose. Take a deep breath. And then breathe out through your mouth. Let’s try it.

Breathe in.

Breathe out.

Do you want to do it again?

Breathe in.

Breathe out.

Okay, is anybody dizzy? Let’s sit back down.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7, NLT)

Now, that’s something that you can do for yourself when you’re afraid, but there’s something else you can do that will help you a lot more than this breathing exercise. Do you know what that is?

Trust God.

So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you. (Deuteronomy 31:6, NLT)

Trust God to take care of you, the way lambs trust their shepherd. God gives us everything we need, so we don’t have to worry about anything. When you trust God, you don’t ever have to be afraid, even when scary things are happening.

Will you pray with me?

Dear God,

Thank you for being my Shepherd and for making sure that I have everything I need. I promise to always trust you and to turn to you whenever I’m afraid.

In Jesus’ name, we pray,

Amen.

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Christianity
Fear
Jesus
Life Lessons
Children
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