Stopping the Worry Wheel

We worry about things. Our kids worry about things. We worry about our kids worrying. And we worry about our worrying!

Stop the worry-go-round! We all want off.

Jesus said to his disciples, “Don’t be worried! Have faith in God and have faith in me.”

John 14:1 (CEV)

Jesus teaches us that we can control our anxiety. Even at the Last Supper, as he prepares his disciples for his coming death, he tells them not to be worried. We are able to decide what our mind will dwell on.

He tells us not to allow our brains to worry. He also gives a clue about how to do this: have faith.

When the news or the day’s events make us tense, we can leave the path our mind is on and turn instead to thoughts of Christ. When finances don’t add up, we can add the God of unlimited resources into the equation. When we fear that we have messed everything up, we can hand it over to Jesus, who makes all things new. When the world feels ready to implode in conflict, we can turn our eyes to the God of the heavenly armies.

We must also teach our children to do these things. Show them how to retrain their brains with a few steps.

1. Help them name what is giving them anxiety. It may even be fun, like social media, setting big goals, or being with a certain friend group.
2. Cut out or cut back on these triggers. Don’t mindlessly scroll screens before bed. Take a long fast from an activity and see how you do.
3. Find ways to turn your eyes to Jesus. Respond to a negative thought with five things to praise God for. Step away from the news feed and open the Bible. Spend time out in God’s creation and with God’s people. Turn conversations of cultural concerns to retelling stories of heroes God used and promises God gave.

With Christ’s help, you have the power to make your worry wheel into a prayer list, handing over every little concern and thanking God for his care over even the least thing.

PRAY

Lord Jesus, even in the face of your impending death, you told your loved ones not to worry. Show me how to do that, and help me teach my kids. Help us always to put you at the front of our minds. Increase our faith and give us the joy of it. Amen.

TIME TO TALK

Conversation starter for kids: Provides you with questions and prompts to facilitate a time of applicable discussion with children to lead them towards knowing God and His Word more deeply.

Question(s): What are some things you worry about? What can you focus on instead? How can Jesus help?

KEEP IT GOING

Related passages: These additional verses will help parents expand their Scriptural knowledge and place on the armor of God’s Word to tackle each day. Swipe to read the passages today.

Psalm 27:1

Matthew 6:25, 27