“Mommy, I’m shaking.”
His little hands gripped the handlebars as he pushed his bicycle up the hill and away from the loud barking.
The big dog that got loose yesterday was outside again, and my son was literally trembling at the thought of being attacked.
I tried reassuring him.
I got close by to protect him.
Yet, he couldn’t seem to shake the memory of that dog sprinting towards him. He couldn’t forget how helpless he felt.
And that’s the emotion many of us are feeling these days.
Helplessness.
We have identified a predator—this pandemic.
We are afraid to get too close.
And our kids are noticing all of it.
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The empty spaces.
The canceled events.
The face masks.
So the question is, what can we do when our little kids are facing big fears? What can we do when their experiences have left them shaken and trembling?
I believe the answer is the same for them as it is for you and me.
We talk about it.
And seek help.
And seek peace.
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I’m not a pediatrician or psychologist, but I do believe that when Jesus said to bring the little children unto Him, He was talking about my kids, too.
So, we start by discussing God’s promises to strengthen us and be with us.
We read how God performs mighty miracles in the face of giants and lions and fire.
We study how God is in control and how we can trust His plan to rescue us.
We deepen our friendship with Jesus by opening our Bibles.
At the end of the day, I don’t want my children struggling with nightmares or worry. Not about a big dog or about germs you cannot see.
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And as an adult who takes anxiety medication myself, I am well aware of the stress and damage panic can cause.
So, I want to make every effort to equip our kids with the armor they really need to withstand the attacks we’re all facing.
We are living in uncertain times.
But I want our kids to know the security found in God’s word.