{"id":26497,"date":"2017-10-27T09:58:34","date_gmt":"2017-10-27T16:58:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sharefaithblog.wpengine.com\/?p=26497"},"modified":"2018-10-11T10:44:59","modified_gmt":"2018-10-11T17:44:59","slug":"how-to-overcome-fear","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sharefaith.com\/blog\/2017\/10\/how-to-overcome-fear\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Overcome Fear: 7 Monsters Every Child Faces"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Bible teaches that Satan is our great enemy. He\u00a0and the fallen angels with him\u00a0have a single task: \u201csteal and kill and destroy\u201d (John 10:10). Through general deception in our culture, the threat of particular demonic torment, and as a result of their fallenness, our children face a battlefield every day.\u00a0Wherever they come, one way to define them is through visible signs \u2013 or we may call them moods, traits, or pressures. They are the monsters of fear, anger, shame, apathy, greed, loneliness, and pride. <\/span><\/p>\n

However, we know that,\u00a0“in all these things we are\u00a0more\u00a0than\u00a0conquerors\u00a0through him who loved us” (Romans 8:37). We also know that these monsters gain strength and grow from a pack of lies that suggest we are unworthy or wrong-headed to think we can do anything about our state of affairs. God’s Word tells us something different, and as our children realize God’s teaching through the Word, they will understand more fully how to fight against these monsters.<\/span><\/p>\n

Is your child wrestling with one or more of these monsters? Set apart some time and read through this article with them. Together you\u2019ll learn how to overcome fear and find victory as God\u2019s Word exposes each monster as a lie.<\/span><\/p>\n

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7 MONSTERS UPDATE!!!<\/h2>\n

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How To Overcome Fear: 7 Monsters Every Child Faces<\/h2>\n

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Monster #1: Fear<\/h3>\n

Our journey begins with a monster that feeds off our imaginations: Fear. Fear gains it\u2019s power by getting us to focus on what <\/span>might<\/span><\/i> happen rather than what <\/span>is<\/span><\/i> happening. This is why taking a walk in the day can feel so different than taking a walk at night. In the daytime, you can see everything around you. But in the darkness, anything might<\/em> be hiding, just waiting to get you. That\u2019s when fear creeps in.<\/span><\/p>\n

The goal of fear is to take control of our imagination and then whisper the lie, \u201cYou are not safe.\u201d The more you imagine what could be in the darkness, the more you become convinced it\u2019s real. All of the sudden you lose control and start running away from a danger that isn\u2019t even there!<\/span><\/p>\n

But the Bible tells us in 2 Timothy 1:7, \u201cGod gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.\u201d Notice the connection between fear and self-control. This is what makes fear so dangerous that it causes us to lose control and react foolishly to things that aren\u2019t true. How do we gain control? By fixing our mind on the truth of God\u2019s Word! <\/span><\/p>\n

Take some time and discuss with your child Isaiah 41:10. What does this verse promise? How does this promise guard us from fear?<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.\u201d \u2013 <\/span>Isaiah 41:10<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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\"\"<\/a>Monster #2: Anger<\/h3>\n

Next, we encounter a villain who fills hearts with hate: Anger. Anger is an expert at changing the way we see people and problems, and getting us to fix our frustrations on the wrong things. We all experience things that bother us. The question is: Do we forgive, and let these things go, or do we hold grudges, and give room for hate?<\/span><\/p>\n

Think about the last time someone really got under your skin. How did you deal with that offense? If you turned the other person into a villain and assumed the worst about them, it\u2019s likely you were driven by anger. Anger always lies to us saying that people are the problem.<\/span><\/p>\n

But the Bible reminds us in Ephesians 6:12 that people are<\/span> never<\/span><\/i> the problem: \u201c<\/span>For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

In any conflict, the real issue is spiritual, not physical. If we get angry and make another person into a villain, our problem will never get solved. Instead, anger will drive us to push the person we\u2019ve villainized out of our life. It\u2019s sad, but this is how many good friendships have been split apart. Sometimes these people can\u2019t even remember why they got angry in the first place!<\/span><\/p>\n

With your child, take a look at James 1:19-20 and discuss what this verse says about anger. Why does God say we should avoid anger? What does God say we should be quick to do instead of getting angry? <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUnderstand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u2013 <\/span>James 1:19-20<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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\"\"<\/a>Monster #3: Shame<\/h3>\n

We now come to a monster many know, but few will talk about: Shame. Shame is a master of deception. It takes things, jumbles them up in our hearts, and then leads us to draw the wrong (and very hurtful) conclusions. <\/span><\/p>\n

Take a moment and imagine that you\u2019ve snuck a cookie from a cookie jar. Stealing, as we all know, is wrong, and so taking that cookie is a bad thing. But shame twists that truth. Instead of saying, \u201cStealing the cookie is bad,\u201d shame will whisper, \u201cStealing that cookie makes <\/span>you<\/span><\/i> bad.\u201d We must be very careful to protect our hearts from the lies of shame. Maybe you heard shame whisper some of the following lies to you:<\/span><\/p>\n

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  • \u201cWhat you did makes you a terrible person.\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n
  • \u201cYou failed and now no one will ever love you.\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n
  • \u201cNobody wants you around now that they know your secret.\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n
  • \u201cGod is so unhappy with you because\u00a0of your choice.\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    One of the amazing things about God is that he knows our every sin, and yet he still loves us. God deeply wants to be a part of our lives. In fact, the Bible tells us in Romans 5:8, \u201cGod showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.\u201d Just think about that! God knew your sins and still sent Jesus to save you. And through the sacrifice of Jesus, you can be forever free from sin, guilt, and shame.<\/span><\/p>\n

    With your child read Psalm 103:10-12. Take turns discussing the things that encourage you the most in these verses. What has God done with our sins? Why has God done this?<\/span><\/p>\n

    \u201c<\/b>He does not punish us for all our sins;
    \n<\/span>he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.
    \n<\/span>For his unfailing love toward those who fear him
    \n<\/span>is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.
    \n<\/span>He has removed our sins as far from us
    \n<\/span>as the east is from the west.
    \n<\/span>The LORD is like a father to his children,
    \n<\/span>tender and compassionate to those who fear him.”<\/span><\/p>\n

    \u2013 Psalm 103:10-12<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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