Allaying the Fears of Children

 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 4:7 NASB

“Being afraid is fun,” my daughter confessed to the counselor. “I get to sleep on Mommy’s floor.”

We had taken our seven-year-old to the counselor because her fears had made bedtime a battleground. Clearly, we needed to change our tactics.

As my children grew, I did what I could to allay their fears. I assured them on God’s love and protection. I encircled them with angels at their nightly blessing. I wrote out scripture verses to keep by their bedside. Those were the tools in my arsenal at the time. I was young in my faith too.

As I have grown in my walk with the Lord, I have discovered a much better strategy. In addition to assurances, I should have armed them for the spiritual battle.

Jesus purchased back from the devil all authority and power at the cross. He didn’t redeem that authority for Himself; He was already ruling and reigning in heaven. Jesus sacrificed His life so that we could have access to His power and His authority. In Jesus’ name and in His blood, we have all power over the enemy (Luke 10:19).

Fear is a tool of the devil. He uses it to get our attention (worship) and enslave us to his ideas (ways).

I wish I would have armed my young children to use Jesus’ name as a weapon against the enemy. Their voice has power!

The bedtime routine would have included a “spiritual cleansing” of their rooms. I would have had them chase out the darkness, in Jesus’ name. I would have had them command fear to leave them alone, in Jesus’ name. Declarations are the shield of faith that stop the fiery darts of the enemy (Ephesians 6:11).

I pray you will empower your children and grandchildren with this strategy. Having control over the demon of fear will make bedtime a faith building adventure.

Sweet dreams.