Be Strong and Courageous: How to Help Children Face Fears with Faith

There’s nothing quite like seeing fear in your child’s eyes—it pulls at the deepest part of a mother’s heart. Whether it’s monsters under the bed, a test at school, a new social situation, or the uncertainty of big life changes, our children face fear just as we do.

As moms, we want to sweep in and take away anything that scares them. But while we can’t give our kids a fear-free life, we can give them something better: faith in a God who is with them in every fear.

From the moment Adam and Eve hid in the garden, fear became part of the human story. For kids, those fears may look small to us, but to them, they feel enormous.

Instead of brushing off their feelings with “Don’t be scared,” we can gently say: “It’s okay to feel afraid. Let’s talk to God about it together.”

This simple shift teaches an important truth: courage isn’t the absence of fear—it’s choosing faith in the middle of it.

When Joshua stepped into leadership, God didn’t say, “You’ve got this!” He said, “I am with you.” Real courage comes not from our own strength, but from God’s presence.

Remind your children often that they are never alone:

These aren’t just verses—they are anchors for little hearts.

Children learn best when they can see, hear, and touch. Bring faith into their everyday world:

These simple visuals can bridge the gap between fear and faith and make God’s presence real to them.

The Bible is filled with stories of ordinary people who faced enormous fears with extraordinary faith. David and Goliath, Daniel in the lions’ den, Esther before the king—these stories are not fairy tales, but real accounts of God’s strength in weak people.

Retell these stories often. Better yet, act them out together or read them before bed. Help your child see that the same God who helped David defeat Goliath is the same God who helps them face the dark, the unknown, or the hard things at school.

One of the greatest gifts we can give our children is teaching them how to bring their fears to God. Before bed, before a test, or before trying something new, take a moment to pray with them. Keep it simple:

“Dear God, I’m feeling afraid. Please help me to be strong and remember that You are with me. Amen.”

These little prayers grow big faith.

Children watch more than they listen. When they see you facing anxiety or stress with prayer, peace, and courage in Christ, it builds their faith too. Be honest with them in age-appropriate ways: “I was nervous about something today, but I asked God to help me, and He gave me peace.”

Your example will teach them more than words ever could.

When children step into situations they’re afraid of—whether it’s raising their hand in class or sleeping with the light off—affirm their courage:

“You were brave today. I saw you trusting God, even when you felt scared. That’s real strength.”

Praise them for being brave, not just for achieving something. By celebrating the act of trusting God, you reinforce that their worth is not based on performance but on faithfulness.

Fear won’t disappear with age—it often grows more complex. But if we teach our children now how to face fear with faith, we are giving them something they will carry forever. Not a false sense of safety, but a deep-rooted trust in a never-changing God.

So, the next time your child’s eyes widen in fear, kneel beside them. Hold their hand. Speak God’s Word. Pray over their heart. And remind them: