Helping our children in a time of overwhelming anxiety

In recent years, the Centers for Disease Control reported that the suicide rate among 10-14-year-old children had nearly tripled in the last decade, while the rate for older teens increased by 76%. With ongoing global challenges and uncertainties, reversing this trend remains a significant challenge.

Among the many challenges children face today is the toll on mental health and, thus, emotional health. Studies continue to examine the psychological impact on children. Children can experience social isolation, health fears, and the uncertainty all around them, realizing their parents don’t always know how to deal with difficult circumstances. All these can easily lead to depression.

More than one in five Americans lives with a mental illness.

Recent studies show that more than one in five Americans lives with a mental illness. When studying the charts, it’s clear that the younger the demographic, the greater the distress.

There’s a lot of good advice out there regarding spending time outside, staying connected with people, being thankful and managing negative thoughts. However, some advice recommends focusing on things that make you feel strong, things that make you feel in control and things that make you feel capable. Such advice makes me laugh, because the minute I start thinking I’m strong or I have control in life, it seems like I get hit by a wave of uncontrollable reality.

Better than feeling in control is knowing deep down in my heart that God is in control. I’ve given him my life, and it’s in his hands, to do with as my loving father sees fit, and I’m okay with that. If the worst happens and I die, it’s actually the best, because I’ll be with him more fully.

The only thing I can depend on is God and the truth in his word, the Bible.

There is truly nothing in this world I can 100% depend on, either materially, physically or relationally. The only thing I can depend on is God and the truth in his word, the Bible. His word brings so much comfort that I can say with David in Psalm 23, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”

In Hebrews 11:6, it says that without faith it is impossible to please God. And you know what? Our faith not only pleases Him, but it gives us peace that passes understanding. Philippians 4:6 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

I want to challenge you to do two things for children to aid them in their struggle with anxiety:

1.  Model faith for your child

First, develop unwavering faith in your heavenly father yourself, so they can emulate you. Talk about how you are doing that, so they don’t just think, “Dad is so chill,” but rather they think, “Dad rests in God.”

Children learn more from what we do than what we say.

Children learn more from what we do than what we say. When they see you turning to God’s word during stressful times, praying about your concerns, and finding peace in his promises, they’ll naturally begin to develop these same healthy spiritual habits.

2.  Build daily spiritual habits

Second, spend time with them in the word and in prayer. Teach them to spend time with God every day themselves, both focused time and practicing awareness of his presence all day. Deuteronomy 6:7 says, of God’s commands, “You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. This practice will build and deepen their relationship with you as well as with God."

Here are some additional practices that can help children manage anxiety through a biblical perspective:

• Scripture memorization: Help children memorize verses about God’s care and protection, such as Psalm 56:3, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.”
• Prayer journaling: For older children, encourage them to write down their worries and then write a prayer about each one, giving their concerns to God.
• Calming prayers: Teach children to take deep breaths while saying short prayers like “God is with me” or “Jesus, give me peace.”
• Bedtime blessing: Establish a routine of praying over your child at bedtime, asking God to give them peaceful sleep and freedom from worry.

The world is a crazy and uncertain place, but God’s love for us is solid.

The world is a crazy and uncertain place, but God’s love for us is solid. Be informed about what’s going on, but don’t let the news on TV or social media be your family’s steady diet. Feed on God’s word and trust your heavenly father.

Fred Pry is the Vice President of Administration at Child Evangelism Fellowship® (CEF®), the most impactful child evangelism ministry in the world, reaching over 27.4 million children with its face-to-face ministry in 2024. Fred joined CEF in 2003 as director of a local chapter in Pennsylvania before being appointed state director of Virginia. Later, he was invited to lead USA Ministries, and since 2024, he has been serving in the role of Vice President of Administration and providing further leadership to the organization as one of CEF’s executive staff.