Parenting Through Anxiety in an Anxious World
- Selah Reverie
- Sep 17
- 3 min read
"I will lift up my eyes to the hills
From whence comes my help?
My help comes from the Lord
Who made heaven and earth" -Psalm 121:1-2
My first "world event anxiety" came in January 1991, with the start of the Gulf War in Iraq. I was 18 years old and a brand new mother. The news was scary, and I had no idea how wars were fought. Would it be here? In America? What about my new baby?
There was no internet then (thank God), so we had to turn on the TV or read newspapers to get the latest. A beloved cousin, along with some of my school friends were deployed. We were left to wonder and wait. Letters were sent and when one arrived, a breath of relief, for a moment.
That was my initiation into the worry that comes with motherhood and the responsibility of caring for another soul. Having teens and adult children brings new and different kinds of worries.
Most anxiety is just "borrowing trouble," but this is different. There's a legitimate reason for it.
Scripture is clear on the subject.
"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow,
for tomorrow will worry about it's own things.
Sufficient for the day is it's own trouble." -Matthew 6:34
It's been a tough time, not only in this country, but around the world. Anxiety seems to permeate the very air we breathe. I haven't felt like writing, or going out, or doing much of anything. People don't feel safe. The energy is unstable and on edge.
Years ago, when my children were all home and I was homeschooling, I read something that stuck with me. "When things are bad, and you immerse yourself in it, what good does that do?"
What good does adding anger and fear to an already shaky environment do? There's a difference between being aware of what's going on and drowning yourself in it.
We feel the need to know everything, as if staying informed and learning all we can from every point of view will keep us in control. But it never works. And we are always taken by surprise.
Children are the most affected. They don't understand the world's turmoil. All they can do is trust the adults in their lives to protect them.
As parents, especially of young children, we set the tone in our homes. Kids are perceptive. They know when something is off. I had an unsafe childhood and will tell you, that's no way to grow up. I've spent much of my life seeking safety. And the truth is, there is none in this world.
Harsh lesson to learn as an adult. But kids don't need to feel it. Not yet. Let them grow into understanding when the time comes. For now, let childhood be filled with as much wonder and joy as possible. Play. Dance. Be silly. Protect their minds from the weight and cares of this world.
And most importantly, for yourself, and them, learn to trust in the One who guarantees eternal life. The One who removes the sting of death.
At the end of the day, my help doesn't come from staying "in the know", or from my own strength.
It's okay to unplug. You can't and will never know the full truth about what's going on. It's designed to destabilize and get the biggest possible emotional response from you.
Let's give back in peace, prayer, rest, and in protecting the most vulnerable.
A few pictures from the week
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