Teach Kids How to Deal with Fear in the Bible

Young or old, everyone feels fear. While initially a result of sin in the world, fear was created by God to protect us from things that might hurt us or pull us away from Him. However, sometimes our minds easily wander and imagine silly things that cause us to feel afraid, while other times our situations warrant fear. Regardless of whether they’re real or imagined, fears affect our thoughts and actions. For some, feeling fear might merely be an opportunity to demonstrate courage, maybe even resulting in acts of heroism. For others, it’s easy to let fear take over and become crippling.

But what does God say about fear in the Bible? In Isaiah 41:10, He says, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Here are three ways you can help kids learn about fear in the Bible and what to do when they are afraid.

Remember God Loves You

First and foremost, whenever a child is scared, remind them “God loves you and God will take care of you”. Children who believe in Jesus can rely on God’s promises regarding fear in the Bible to protect and care for them. Psalm 23 is a great passage that describes how God will take care of you like a shepherd watching over his sheep. As God knows everything, you can assure kids that Jesus both knows what they’re going through, and has the power to protect and provide.

Whenever they’re afraid, remind them “God loves you”, and that they can talk to the Lord. Jesus not only hears us when we pray, He also cares for us deeply. Encourage kids to tell Jesus how they feel, ask Him for His help, and to even ask Him to make them brave when they’re afraid. Remind kids, even if you’re scared, you are not alone. God is always with you, God loves you, and God will take care of you. He will help you through the hard times.

Teach Kids About Fear in the Bible

Fear may be an emotion designed to protect us, but it’s also a reminder to put our trust in God. Help kids know how to process their fear in a biblical way that honors both their emotions, and their faith in God. To do this, remind them about fear in the Bible and encourage them to always turn to God first; for He is greater and more powerful than anything else. Teach them how fear in the Bible is treated, and what happens when people either give into that fear or choose to trust God with it and persevere. Examples of fear in the Bible can include the story of Jonah or Gideon, David while hiding in the caves from Saul, or Jesus, Himself, while praying in the garden of Gethsemane.

Kids may face difficult situations: sickness, abuse, loneliness, bullying…but they can find comfort from fear in the Bible, and by knowing that God is bigger and greater than the scariest thing they could face. God is powerful, loving, and good. Like Psalm 23 says, God is like a good shepherd—one who would use a rod to protect the sheep from danger, or a staff to guide them away from the things that might hurt them, while drawing them closer to Himself. Children who believe in Jesus and trust Him in their life do not need to be afraid. They can feel safe knowing that God is their protector and guide. For even when bad things happen to us while living in a broken world, God still uses it for good—helping to guide us away from danger and closer to Him.

God Will Take Care of You, Even in Death

For some, the greatest fear may be death. But those who believe in Jesus can set their hope on God’s promise of eternal life with Him in heaven. For the believer, death is not the end, but rather the beginning of life with God in His perfect home, where we’ll never know pain or suffering again. God loves you so much that He has an amazing plan to give us a new body in our new home—one that will never be sick, grow old, feel pain, or die. In our new bodies in Heaven with God, we will know perfect love, joy, and peace. With God, death isn’t scary; it’s simply the thing that brings us home to Him and into perfect happiness in Heaven. Remind kids that no matter what might happen to them in their earthly bodies, God will take care of you.

You can help kids live with courage that overcomes fear by growing their faith and teaching them about fear in the Bible. Talk through these truths and make it personal for them. Remind them that even when they’re afraid, “God loves you and listens to you, God will take care of you, and that with Jesus, you will have everlasting life and don’t need to fear anything in this world.”

Want more ways to help kids deal with fear and give them comfort when they’re afraid? Search for the song “Jesus Is Caring for You” on our Youtube channel for kids, U-Nite TV®. This song is perfect for singing before bedtime in the dark or whenever a child is feeling fear!