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As a parent, how can you help your kids cope with the fear and worry that the statistics and predictions on the nightly news might stir up? It’s normal to experience concern during unsettling times, but we need to make sure your kids feel secure.

If you or your children are feeling worried, learning how to deal with that anxiety in a healthy way will help the whole family be more resilient, both now and when the current situation that we are in are finally over.

Here are some ways in helping our kids to cope with fear and worry:

Keep Calm and Communicate

First, remain calm. Children tend to model their parents’ emotions and if you communicate in a calm manner, that will likely help reduce your kids’ fear. Talk to them only if they bring up the subject or you know that they’ve been exposed to information and are confused or scared.

Provide Reassurance

Assure them that they’re safe and that you know what to do if someone in your family becomes ill. Remember that children of all ages may become fearful or overly worried, so be sure to have age appropriate discussions with each of your children. Sometimes, adolescents and teenagers can be more fearful and worried than younger children.

Explain that you’re trying to be cautious and wise, not acting out of fear. This situation offers a great opportunity for you to explain that it’s always best to be proactive rather than reactive. Your actions now are intended to prevent future problems, not necessarily to cope with current problems.

Use This Time for Family Fun

If you decide to isolate as a family, have fun spending time together. Emphasize the opportunity to slow down, hang out, and enjoy each other’s company. Also, encourage your kids to engage in physical activities and creative experiences, both known to be helpful for easing anxiety.

God is Still in Control

Pray with your children. Emphasize that you’re trusting God for His guidance. If your kids are old enough to read and understand scripture, read and discuss Psalms 91:1-3 together:

Those who go to God Most High for safety
    will be protected by God All-Powerful.

 I will say to the Lord, “You are my place of safety and protection.
    You are my God, and I trust you.”

God will save you from hidden traps
       and from deadly diseases.

Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Trust that no matter what happens, God is in control.

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Arise For Life

"IN THE VALLEY"
By La Shawn M. Montgomery
March 5, 2010
Original Source http://www.thahallway.com/hwayblogspot.html

Often times when we ask God for wisdom in a certain area we get a little disturbed if we have to experience a valley-like experience. There are those seasons where our social lives are great, the bills are paid, our loved ones are happy, there's food, fun, and fellowship! We couldn't be happier! Yet, when God begins to require a more intimate relationship with us, there's a shifting at times. Yep! You guessed it. People aren't speaking as much. The phone isn't ringing as often as it was. There may be intense fellowship going on between spouses. (You know, when nothing you say is the right thing to say). Things are not feeling good or looking good in the natural realm. Things seem VERY strange.

One day I was alone with God about 6 years ago, going over the final copy of my divorce papers. (I was in the Valley of Weeping). I sat on the floor and finally cried over the devastation. Living in a small city it seems as though everyone is connected somehow, and I had reached a point where I felt like a failure; Like I crashed and burned in front of everyone. I remember asking the Lord,"WHY". I wanted an answer. He began to teach me about intimacy and how I had lacked it because of past hurts and old wounds that I had experienced in my youth. So I went through a valley where I had to expose my true self to a few of my sisters and brothers in Christ during that season. Intimacy is where you let the person you love inside, and you allow them you to see the real you, your authentic self. I had never done that.

Once the process was complete, I found so much joy in that valley. I got a chance to cry, laugh, and heal. It seemed as if the old natured woman died in that valley, and a new woman emerged. If God is calling you to a closer place in Him, don't run, or be angry. It's in the valley where you can grow, heal, and learn what you need for the next season in your life. God Bless.

La Shawn N. Montgomery
Member of the Church of Love Faith Center
Inspirational Writer and Motivator