Read this pretend “letter from God” to your children. Much of it is based on the story of Hezekiah, which is found in 2 Chronicles 32. The “P.S.” portion of the letter refers to some specific fears. Use the P.S. to address each child’s greatest fear. When you are finished, you can use the additional Bible verses provided below to pray God’s protection over your children.

Dear ________ and ________,

There are scary things in this world and I understand when you are scared. It is okay to be scared, but when you are scared, I want you to tell Me about it. Jesus was a little boy once too. When He was scared He had His dad on earth to comfort Him, but He also had a bigger Dad in heaven watching over Him. I am your Father in heaven and I watch over you just as I did Jesus. I am the God of the universe and I promise to go before you, to be with you wherever you go. I will never leave you or forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:8).

I want to tell you a little story: Once upon a time, there was a man named Hezekiah who was the leader of My people, the people of Israel. There was a huge army coming against them and it seemed there was no way they could win the battle. But Hezekiah trusted Me and he encouraged his people with these words, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles” (2 Chronicles 32:7-8). Be confident My children, because when you fight battles with Me on your side, there is no way you can lose.

Oh yeah, I bet you want to hear the end of the story about Hezekiah and the Israelites. Well Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, started mocking the Israelites saying, “Blah, blah, blah… Don’t believe Hezekiah when he tells you God will take care of you. Look at all the other nations we have conquered. No god was able to beat my army and me. We’re the big guns and not even your god is gonna beat us!”

Hezekiah and the people were scared, but instead of surrendering they prayed and asked Me for help. Sennacherib kept mocking Me, and all the Israelites too. I sent an angel who destroyed all of Sennacherib’s soldiers, leaders and officials. So Sennacherib went home defeated and left the Israelites alone. Pretty cool story, don’t you think?

The Israelites felt extremely small, weak and helpless when they saw that big army coming against them. My children, when you feel small, weak or scared, remember to praise Me because feeling weak can remind you that I will be your strength and your fortress (Psalm 59:17). I am your loving Father in heaven.

Here is a verse to remember when you are scared. Psalm 118:6-7 says, “The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? The Lord is with me; He is my helper. I will look in triumph on my enemies.” Promise Me that when you are afraid, you will trust in Me!

My children, I did not give you a spirit of fear but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:7). Any time you need My Spirit, just ask and I will be there for you. I am telling you the same thing I told Joshua, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).

Love forever,

God

P.S. I AM bigger than the boogeyman or anything else that might be lurking in your closet.

[Alternative P.S.] And about the dying thing: Many grownups are afraid of dying too. It’s normal to be scared of dying because it means going somewhere you haven’t been before. But you don’t have to worry about dying. Imagine that you had never been to __________(name a favourite family vacation spot) before. When your mom and dad said, “We are going to a wonderful place where there will be lots of cool things to do,” you might not have wanted to go somewhere different, and even a bit scary. But remember how when you got to __________ (that favourite family vacation spot), you were so glad you made the trip. Heaven is going to be a lot like _________ (that beloved family holiday location), except there will be no crying or pain, and I will wipe away every tear from your eyes (Revelation 21:4).

Relevant Scripture

Proverbs 29:25 “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.”

Psalm 46:1-3 “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.”

John 10:27-29 “My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of My Father’s hand.”

Psalm 46:10 “He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.’ ”