God, I Feel ScaredSample

That Old Fear of Something New

Trying something new can spark that old fear we all know—the fear of messing up, of not getting it perfectly right, of faceplanting in front of a crowd. It’s a fear we never fully outgrow. Probably because one or all of those things has happened to us at some point. Probably in a middle school lunchroom.

But we’ve learned, haven’t we, that so many of the best things in life lie on the other side of our fears. We just need the courage to face them.

Search the self-help section of any bookstore or library, and you’ll find plenty of advice on just how to muster that courage all on your own. But God never intended for us to have to muster up our own courage or face anything all on our own, especially not our worries and fears.

From Old Testament to New Testament, one of God’s greatest promises is that He will be with us always. He’ll not only be with us, but when we seek His help, He’ll be there to fill us with His strength and courage, to help us be brave, and to hold us safe in His hands. Does that mean we’ll never again mess up, make a mistake, or faceplant in front of a crowd? No, but it does mean that God will be right there to pick us up, dust us off, and help us try again.

For Little Ones:

What’s something new that you’ve tried to do? Was it a little scary? (Allow your little one plenty of time to share their answers.)

Trying something new can be a little scary sometimes. Like jumping off the high dive, trying to make a new friend, or even trying a new food. But when you try to do the very thing you’re afraid to do, that’s called being brave and facing your fears.

It takes a lot of courage to face your fears. Here’s some great news, though: when you ask God for courage, He’ll give you all that you need. And the more you face your fears, the easier it gets to be brave!

In moments of worry or fear:

• Talk with your child about the difference between fears they need to face and fears that are real dangers. (Do this a little at a time, as opportunities present themselves. Be careful not to overwhelm your little one with too much information at once.)
• Ask your child to draw a picture of themselves doing that new thing they’re afraid to try. Then, ask them, “Where is God in this picture? Where are Mommy and Daddy?
• Help your child finish this sentence: When I’m scared, God will help me . . .
• If your child has a specific fear, such as swimming, try slowly and over time helping them face that fear. For example, begin with putting on a swimsuit. Another day, move on to dipping their toes in the water. Later, try walking in up to their knees, and so on. This will create a bond between you and encourage them to turn to you when they are older and their fears are less easy to recognize.