There are a lot of lessons we have learned in the past year alone. We are already well into another year of the pandemic, and we are still trying to get a grasp of what we need to do to stay active and to gain a better understanding of what is happening around us.
Most of the mental health problems that we have had to deal with are on an individual level. However, we must not forget that it is harder to recognize and deal with anxiety from an outsider’s point of view. This happens with children or family members who need help in reducing their anxiety and dealing with daily challenges.
The Bible Says
The Bible is very clear that families are meant to provide comfort and understanding to one another. This can be seen in Isaiah 66:13 which says “As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you; in Jerusalem, you will be comforted.”
We also see God’s instruction for parents in Colossians 3:21 which says, “Parents, don’t provoke your children in a way that ends up discouraging them.”
One favorite Bible verse that stands out about this is Proverbs 17:17 which states that “Friends love all the time, and kinsfolk are born for times of trouble.” Indeed, our Creator has provided a lot of ways for us to help each other out, and the family is to be there whenever there is a need for help.
So, let’s look at some of the ways that parents can help reduce anxiety in children and family members.
Schedule Family Time
Sometimes the best thing you can do for the people you love is to be there for them and to be present in their lives. Your children or your family members do not need to be showered with a lot of fancy gifts or things that accumulate for them to feel that they are loved. The only thing that matters at this point is to make sure that children will be able to feel that their parents are there for them in time of need.
When you schedule family time and your children know that they are part of your day, it will be easier for them to realize that they are not alone. Whenever they feel anxious, it will be easier for them to know that they have people who are there for them in times of need.
Share Bible Verses That Make An Impact
Another way that you can spend peaceful time with children is to schedule Bible time and share Bible verses that make an impact on what they are going through. Several of the stories in the Bible speak of difficult times and how God was there to help. He knows all of our needs and thoughts.
There are also a lot of comforting stories in magazines such as Creation Illustrated that relate useful lessons for life found in nature. Helpful articles and activities that include Bible verses can help children from feeling anxious.
Anxiety Management is The Goal
Parents dealing with anxiety in their children often look for a solution on how to remove anxiety. However, the reality is that anxiety cannot be fully removed, but anxiety management in your children should be your ultimate goal. Once you have accepted this, you will be able to do the things that must be done to help your children at this time.
Don’t Avoid Things That May Cause Your Children Anxiety
Unfortunately one of the biggest mistakes that parents make is the fact that they avoid things that make their children anxious. This step will only teach your children that they can live their life not facing anxiety properly. The thing that you want to teach your children is to help them face those things that cause anxiety and cope with them in a positive way.
Respect Their Feelings, But Make Them Feel The Responsibility
When a child is anxious, you must respect their feelings yet you should help them face the responsibility of dealing with things that they need to handle properly.
For example: If your child is anxious about visiting the doctor, you can tell them that you understand their anxiety, but explain that they cannot just skip going to the doctor because of the consequences of not being checked or taking care of their health.
Anxiety is the mind’s way of telling us that something wrong may happen, but if you tell your children that if they fail to address their anxiety, something worse may happen. There is no need to instill fear in your children, but it helps that they understand every action we take or don’t take can have a positive or negative effect.
Anxiety is Normal During These Times
The thing that we need to accept is the fact that anxiety is normal during this time. What we can do for ourselves and for the people that we love is to at least help them manage the symptoms of anxiety or panic attacks that may happen throughout the process of them trying to move forward despite the anxiety.
The information above provides ways to help children and families cope with uncertainties. There is no single full-proof solution to anxiety and other mental health challenges, but we can explore new ways to help relieve the stress. One of the best methods is to spend time in nature and think of all the things to be grateful for. Even if getting outdoors is difficult, you can turn to helpful resources that speak of nature such as books, DVDs, magazines like Creation Illustrated, and of course the Bible.
