Devo with the kids

Fear

So much has been written and spoken about this topic over the last year.  2020 was awash with fear, anxiety, and worry.  We have engaged our kids on these topics before 2020 and whilst living through 2020.  You can read some of the blogs that have come from those convos.  Today was a little different. A way led by God’s Word.  Below is a peek into what we talked about…

Over the last 2 days, we’ve been able to see David in tough situations.  The “man”, King David, was being real in his writing of Psalm 55 and Psalm 56.  He openly said that he was fearful…that he was afraid.  

What a comfort!!  The man after God’s own heart, King David, was afraid.  The teenager who by God’s power slayed an 8 foot giant was telling us that ‘fear and trembling’ had come upon him.  The question for the kids was, “Is it okay for a Christian to be afraid?”

Yes.

“When I am afraid…”

David, Psalm 56:3a

So, the answer is ‘Yes’.  Christians can be afraid and are at times very afraid.  But, what separates a true believer in Christ from those who don’t??

Control.

A Christian does not allow fear to control them.  A Christian does not cower at fear.  Why is that?

“I will put my trust in You. In God, whose word I praise, In God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can mere man do to me?”

David, Psalm 56:3b-4

There’s your answer.  David was afraid, but he didn’t allow the fear to control him.  He put his trust in God.  He notes that he has praise for God and His word.  In Psalm 55:16, after saying in vs 5 that ‘fear and trembling’ had come upon him, David writes:  “As for me, I shall call upon God…”

So, my encouragement for my kids tonight was:  it’s okay to be afraid…King David was.  But, believers in Jesus don’t allow fear to control them.  “When (they) are afraid, (they) put their trust in God” and they call upon Him.  They praise Him, too.