God, I Feel SadSample

Comfort to Share

When we think of sharing things with others, we might think about sharing recipes, sharing news, or even sharing secrets. But there’s something else we can share. Something God shares with us: comfort in our times of sadness.

God shares His comfort with us in different ways: through the promises and truths of His Word, through the indwelling of His Holy Spirit who personally pours the power of God into our lives, and through the people He places in our paths, to be His hands and feet, to be His comforters. People just like ourselves. Because while we may look to God for comfort in times of sadness and grief, our littles are still learning how to do that. That means they’re likely going to be looking to us for the comfort they need. And we need to be ready to share that comfort calmly and consistently, without layering on our own emotional struggles.

Because today, more than ever before, kids need to know that we aren’t fragile and that—with God’s help—we can handle whatever they bring to us. Our ability to regulate our own emotions is then crucial and offers them the sense of safety they need to entrust us with all that they’re feeling.

So when your child comes to you, carrying their sadness and seeking comfort, pause for just half a second. Breathe in and breathe out. Whisper His name to remind you of how you want to be and Who you want to point your child to. And let the God of all comfort help you comfort the one you both love.

For Little Ones:

Do you know what comfort means? It means to help someone feel better.

Think about the last time you felt sad. What did you do to feel better? Did you talk to someone who listened? Did you get a hug? Did they pray with you?

It’s wonderful to have someone to comfort us and help us feel better when we’re sad, isn’t it? And you can be that person for someone else who’s feeling sad! You can help others feel better just by doing the things that others have done to comfort you. Listen and hug and pray.

Let’s practice! (Grownups: Pretend to be sad and let the child comfort you, and then change roles.)

In moments of sadness:

• Keep your voice and your body movements gentle and calm.
• If your child is so upset that they’re having trouble catching their breath, ask if they’ll hold your hands and breathe with you. Slowly inhaling and exhaling deep breaths.
• If your child struggles with holding hands, gently take their hand or touch their arm and begin praying for them. Speak words of blessing over them—words all children need to hear.