Helping Our Overwhelmed Children
As I was talking with children at Kids Beach Club last Thursday, a common theme emerged: feeling overwhelmed. It seems as if many of our children are feeling overwhelmed these days. By what, you may ask? By so many things: pressure to do well at school, be accepted by friends, look “right” according to culture’s standards. Our children also see and hear so many of the world’s issues. In our discussions, children brought up politics and how their parents felt about our current and past Presidents. These 3rd-6th graders are also worried about sicknesses like the flu, Covid, and cancer. They expressed feeling tired and overwhelmed by all the “things” happening in the world, both near and far. To be honest, it broke my heart a little to see the weight these children were carrying with them.
What can we do to help our children when they feel overwhelmed? The “easy” answer is to take them to God. But how do we do that? I suggest starting with scripture that emphasizes God’s constant presence, strength, and ability to provide comfort. Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Isaiah 41:10 reads, “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.” Philippians 4:6-7 tells us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God; and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Use simple language to explain the verses in a way that your child can understand. Interactive activities can also help. Have children draw pictures about the verse, or create their own prayers based on the scripture. Put your child’s name directly into the Scripture verse.
Encourage your child to talk openly about what they are overwhelmed about, both to you and to God. Be patient and supportive, acknowledging their feelings and letting them know that everyone feels overwhelmed sometimes. Pray with them about their worries and anxieties. Model this type of prayer for them. When something is bothering you, pray about it in front of them so that they know it is good to take all things to God in prayer. When you demonstrate your own reliance on God, it helps your child know how to give things to God and let them go.
Our kiddos today are bombarded by many hard topics and situations that are beyond their maturity levels. Remember that it is okay to protect your children from some of those things. Be careful what you say in front of your children. Make sure you are relying on God to manage your own life so that they know He is faithful and trustworthy to manage their lives. Hug your children tight, reassure them it’s okay to be a child, and daily point them to their Father in heaven who is always with them, caring for them and protecting them. As it says in Psalm 121, “I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made haven and earth…The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.” Let your child know that “God’s got them!”