To My Child Who Worries too Much
Do you have a child who worries too much?
We live in a culture where the words anxiety, stress, and fear are words that even our little ones know all too well.
We talk about helping our sweet ones, giving them space, and helping them find peace, but the most important thing we can give our kids is Jesus. When they know whose side they are on, then they can walk in truth.
We have victory in Jesus and we can speak that over our kids everyday.
This is a letter that I wrote to my tender-hearted, fierce, feisty, beautiful, and brave girl. I want to share it because I know that there are other girls and boys who are facing the realities of anxiety and fear everyday.
I hope this helps you and I hope it gives you words to encourage the heart of your little worrier.
Dear Sweet Child Who Worries too Much
I put you to bed and prayed over you (for approximately the 1 millionth time) that God would give you no bad dreams, only good ones. I prayed that God would help you to know who you are in Him, and that you wouldn’t be worried or afraid.
We said, “Amen,” and then you laid there and your mind wandered.
You thought and processed and you wanted to know that everything in life is going to turn out perfectly. You are my sweet little perfectionist that doesn’t like when things go any way other than what you have planned (and I might be able to relate to that).
Growing up in this world is tough.
One minute you might hear messages from commercials or tv shows that say girls can do anything and girls have the power to rule the world. Then, just a few minutes later, you could be overwhelmed by messages from peers (or when you get older, social media) that you have to have perfect looks, perfect makeup, and a perfect life to be anybody special.
My love, those messages are lies.
You were not created to rule the world.
You are a gift and you have been created to shine bright, but your looks don’t determine if you are a good person or not. Your light doesn’t shine brighter by being better than others, it shines brightest when you love with Jesus’s love.
Learning to share, and to save a seat for the left out friends, makes your beauty shine.
An iconic actress, Audrey Hepburn, is quoted as saying, “…Happy girls are the prettiest.” However, I would add to that.
I would say that happiness comes from being kind. Happiness comes when we keep our eyes off of ourselves and look to make this world a better place for everyone around us.
Giving away gifts, and doing service projects always makes you so happy. Finding someone to bake for and then giving them those treats makes you overjoyed. It is then that your beauty shines bright right from your heart all the way up to your beautiful smile.
I Understand Why You Worry
I want to give you a few bible verses to hold onto and a few reminders, but, first, I really want to tell you that I understand.
It’s hard to grow up. Trying to figure out who you are in a world of mixed messages can make you feel a little lost.
Fear and worry have impacted my life too, and I want you to know that through God, you don’t have to be afraid. I’m here to tell you that I’m here and I promise to walk with you. I promise to listen to you, and not just give advice.
>> Read Pep Talk for Mamas Going Through a Hard Season in Parenting
I commit to praying over you, in faith, knowing that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him. (Romans 8:28)
I promise to work through my own fears and insecurities and take them to Jesus, so I can better help you do the same.
I want you to know that in all things we can choose joy. We’ve been through hard things and I am sure that there are hard times to come. However, when we fix our eyes on Jesus, and trust His timing, He truly leads with comfort and peace.
Most importantly, He leads us to knowing Him better.
And that is my prayer for you, sweet one. That everyday you will fall more in love with Jesus and draw your strength directly from Him.
Bible Verses for Anxiety and Stress
When it comes to overcoming your worries, knowing the Word of God is the best tool in your tool belt. Here are some of the best bible verses for anxiety and stress:
Don’t Miss: Verse of the Week Printable for Teaching Kids Scripture– Help your child remember scripture they can rely on with this free printable.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)
This is one of the verses that we say over and over again, and it is a great place to start. You can boldly proclaim the truth that God hasn’t given you a spirit of fear. You are so loving, and you have the ability to have an absolutely sound mind. Not because of you, but because of the power of God in you.
He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
John 4:4 (NIV)
Remember, my dear one…God is bigger than anything you face. Jesus is bigger than your fears and worries and I am so thankful.
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
Romans 8:37 (NIV)
With Jesus we are more than conquerors and with Jesus, we can conquer any fear, lie, worry, or doubt that comes our way.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13 (NIV)
Let’s conquer fear and worry together, and love Jesus with all that is in us. It’s going to be quite an exciting journey to see how God helps us do all things in His strength!
The joy of the Lord is your strength.
Nehemiah 8:10 (NIV)
Remember, when you are brave, your strength comes from your creator. He designed you specifically to be brave in whatever you face, because His joy is where your true strength comes from. Sweet joy-filled girl, look for true joy.
Other Important Bible Verses for the Child Who Worries Too Much
The world has so many things to offer you that will look like joy, but the fun of this world will fade away. Stick with what leads you to everlasting joy.
Love Jesus, love others, and love yourself.
Those three choices listed above will lead you to that true joy, and it comes straight from Jesus.
He said in Matthew 22:37-39, “…You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (ESV)
We’ve talked about loving Jesus, and serving others, but I want to remind you that when Jesus said that, it was understood that the person He was speaking to would love one’s self.
You can love others better when you know that you are loved. That is called confidence in Christ.
Baby girl, you are exactly who you are supposed to be.
Love who God created you to be, and love your neighbors even more. The key is to focus on the joy that He gives.
When your eyes are fixed on Jesus, then you can love Him, love your neighbors, and love yourself well. When your focus is on the one who loves you so much that He died for you, then you can hold onto the truth over the things of the world that make us afraid.
Final Thoughts for my Sweet Little Warrior
This year we picked out the word “brave” as our word of the year. You have made so many choices this year to step out into your bravery and trust the power of God in your life. I’m so proud of you!
Also, I want to keep reminding you that being brave doesn’t mean never being afraid. It means that you keep going even when you are scared. Keep going, brave girl!
I love you so much that my heart could burst.
If I could protect you from all of the bad in this world, I would, but God’s ways are not my ways. So, I will do whatever I can to help ready you for the everyday battles, and enjoy watching His story unfold through you.
I am so blessed to get to walk through this life with you. You are a gift, and I hate that this world can be a scary place to live, but I look forward to walking bravely with you.
I promise I will keep praying over you at bedtime, and help you remember verses that remind you of who you are in Christ. Shine bright, and keep giving those fears to Jesus! We’ve got this, girlie!
Love you forever,
Mom
For the Parent with the Child Who Worries Too Much
May God help our worriers grow up to be warriors.
Let Him help us give up the worry and know that we can be warriors too— leading the charge to direct our little loved-ones straight into His arms. The best place to be!
Read Also:
4 Tips to Support a Teenager Struggling with Faith– It’s normal for our kids to struggle with their faith and wrestle with doubt. Be ready to brave this storm with them.
An Important Lesson For My Son: When Fear is Disobedience– Read this heartwarming story of how mother and son overcame fear with faith.
Calming Techniques for Kids– In addition to scripture, these simple techniques that you may not have thought of can help in calming your anxious child.
8 Tips for Building a Strong Christian Family– Help give your kids a firm foundation they can stand on in knowing who they are and whose they are.