When my kids and I got separated, my son knew exactly what to do because he followed my plan for a scenario like that. Just as God has plans for moments of fear to provide us with the assurance when situations go awry!
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I lost my kids the other day. Not lose, lose them…we were all still in the same building, within a few feet of each other. But I couldn’t see or hear them and after several minutes of no contact, my Mama bear brain started to get scared.
It was one of those giant play places with slides and areas to climb. We hadn’t been to this particular place before and before I could lay down ground rules with my 5-year-old, he grabbed his two-year-old brother’s hand and ran into the enclosure.
I wasn’t initially worried because as we were getting our shoes off my 5-year-old kept saying to his little brother “I’ll go with you and make sure you aren’t scared!” So I hoped he was following through with that.
But after a few minutes of not seeing or hearing them I started to get worried…like really worried.
Where were they!?!
I didn’t want to start climbing into the play place area, scrambling around calling their names…I really didn’t want to be that parent.
I wandered under the maze like structure so I could see overhead, but didn’t see them anywhere.
I emerged to the front part again and stood there, straining my eyes for any glimpse of the blue shirts they were wearing.
Just as I started to get really freaked out (and started praying frantically under my breath), my phone rang, the call display saying it was the play place.
Then I heard a little voice behind me.
“Mom, mom, where were you!?!”
I was standing 2 feet from the front desk where my sons had gone because they couldn’t find me.
“Where was I, where were you!?!” I replied, turning to the girl at the front desk and waving that I had my kids and she could hang up the phone.
My initial reaction was anger because I had lost my kids but once the dust settled and we set ground rules for the play structure I started to think about my boys and what had happened.
Making Plans
I’ve had conversations with my son about what to do if he ever got lost, and he did exactly what I told him to do! He went to the front, found an employee, said his mom’s name and got help. Not only that but he took care of his little brother while doing it!
I was a proud mama when I realized how grown up my little boy had been and how well he had followed my instructions.
I was incredibly thankful but also reminded how important it is that we have some of those difficult conversations with our kids. Why it is important to lay out a plan for them so they know what to do if those situations happen.
I was also reminded about how important it is to build homes of faith, to let our children see and hear us when we have problems and how we hand them to God. In difficult times, panic gets us no where but a plan of action and prayer does.
God’s Plans for Moments of Fear
The more I thought about all of it, the more I was reminded of God’s plans for moments of fear.
How often do we feel scared, unsure or lost and our first reaction is to panic? This is normal, because fear is normal! But we also have been told time and time again what to do about it.
Turn to God.
How many times does our Heavenly Father tell us to lean on Him, to cast our burdens on Him and to let Him guide us? And how often do we forget His wisdom and slide into anxious thoughts and actions?
Instead, like my 5-year-old, we need to follow His plan. We need to do what He has told us to start solving the problem.
Blessed is the man (or woman) who follows God’s plans for moments of fear!
What to Do in Moments of Fear
So what are God’s plans for moments of fear?
1. Remove yourself from the fearful situation or area
My son knew he couldn’t find me and I couldn’t find him in the play structure. At least, he knew it likely would take me a long time to find him in the maze of steps, slides and climbing apparatuses.
The same is true with God. It’s much easier to discern God’s voice when we aren’t in a maze of distractions. Will God still find us in the bowels of a dark hole? Absolutely but if we can get ourselves out, it makes things so much easier!
2. Get yourself into a safe or quiet place
My son also knew he needed to go to a place where I could find him. Somewhere he could get help and be safe.
We also need to have places where we can connect with God. A prayer room, or a quiet space where we can get our lifeline out!
3. Seek the lifeline to connect you with God (AKA the Bible)
My son wasn’t going to be able to connect with me without help. So he went to a person who could help!
The Bible is our connection to God. It gives us verses to calm our hearts and minds and seek God’s discernment for the situation. This is why we need the Bible (especially as moms, read more about that here).
4. Let God pick you up!
As it turned out, my kids and I were only a few feet apart so it didn’t take long to find each other. And they were eager to get back to playing, once they knew where I would be standing.
God is always waiting for us, whether in the storm or the quiet. If we need a rescue line, He has one ready so we never find ourselves groping in the dark. When we know that, we can remind ourselves we don’t have to be afraid because He has the situation well in hand.
Of course these 4 steps are a simplified version of what to do, but when we boil it down, that’s all we need in order to feel better.
Sometimes we can’t always leave a fearful situation, and in those times we need to have the lifeline written on our hearts. We need scripture memorized so we can whisper it and be reminded who has control of the situation.
God is always with us, no matter what. And as I stood trying to see my precious boys I knew this and was trusting His protective hand over them.
God’s plans for moments of fear are best when they are tucked in your pocket and written on your heart.
Trust the Plan
The fact that my son knew what to do and didn’t panic was testament to the importance of having a plan. A tangible plan for real life situations but also plans for those scary moments of life when we feel like we are losing control.
God’s plans for moments of fear may not always seem clear but if we remove the distractions and let ourselves fall into His protective comfort, we will find the answers we need.
We have to trust the plan though. We can’t make up our own way of solving the problem, because it likely will only lead to more chaos and confusion.
The next time you feel fearful, trust God’s plans for moments of fear. Don’t let anxiety run your world. Seek God, seek His word and find His comfort in your connection with Him!
When it comes to teaching children about fear and how to handle it, check out my blog post Fear is Normal. Then grab the book “I’m Not a Scaredy Cat,” to read to them before bed!
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