How to Face Uncertain Times and Battle Fear

Sometimes the most profound words come from the mouths of little children. 

My daughter and son-in-law were heading out for a date night, and my husband and I were babysitting the littles.

“Come give Mommy a hug,” my daughter said to Lauren, the 2-year-old. Kneeling, she wrapped her arms around her daughter’s wiggly body.

“You come back, Mommy?” Lauren asked, burying her face in her mother’s neck.

“Yes, I’ll come back,” my daughter replied. “Mommies and daddies always come back.”

Later that evening, Lauren asked me, “Mommy and Daddy come back?” Before I could respond, she answered her question with the words her mother had taught her: “Mommies and daddies always come back.”

My daughter is wise. She recognizes that every parting won’t always be as pleasant as this separation with Gigi and Papa. She knows there will be times when their parents' leaving might create anxiety or fear in her daughters’ hearts. She’s preparing them by teaching truths to carry them through the uncertain times and protect their hearts from fear.

I watched another example of this parenting approach during our playtime together. One of Lauren’s favorite toys is a yellow giraffe that rocks and plays music when she sits on it. Now that her little sister is becoming more mobile, the giraffe has also become Caroline's favorite toy.

You see where this is going.

“Lauren, you’ve been riding Giraffe for a while now, it’s time to share with Caroline.”

Her shoulders hunch up and her hands hold more tightly to the handles. I see the struggle on her face.

Then sunshine breaks through, and she hops off. “You can take a turn, and then I’ll get it back,” she says, repeating the words her mother has taught her. 

Smart girl. 

She applied the principle to the situation and made the right choice. Smart mama, too for teaching her little girl to speak truth to herself.

The philosophy behind my daughter’s parenting approach is the principle that words have power. When we embrace truth, remind ourselves of it often, and apply it to our lives, we live better.

Maybe this is why Jesus called himself, “The Word,” and why he gives us his Word to base our lives on. If we learn God’s truth and apply it to our lives, we live better. If we learn God’s truth and repeat it to ourselves often, false and destructive thoughts flee. God’s Word guides us, comforts us, and empowers us. 

But we must actively engage it or it does us no good.

What situation are you facing today? Which truths from God’s Word can you apply? Our family is currently facing the challenges of unemployment. Here are a few truths we're choosing to focus on:

I’d love to hear the Words you’re claiming today. Leave a comment below and share them. And if you’re reading by email, click here to visit Hungry for God online, scroll to the end of the post, and share your thoughts.

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