Christian Approaches to Helping Children Overcome Anxiety: A Biblical Perspective

September 1, 2025 | Teach Kids Articles

In recent years, the Centers for Disease Control reported that the suicide rate among 10-14 year old children had nearly tripled in the last decade while the rate for older teens increased by 76%. With ongoing global challenges and uncertainties, we can hardly hope for this rate to go down.

Among the many challenges children face today is the toll on mental health, and thus, emotional health. Studies continue to examine the psychological impact on children from social isolation, health fears, and the uncertainty they observe, realizing their parents don’t always know how to deal with difficult circumstances. All these can easily lead to depression. News outlets regularly report stories of talented young people who struggle with severe mental health challenges.

Recent studies show that more than one in four Americans met the criteria that psychologists use to diagnose serious mental distress and illness. When studying the charts, it’s clear that the younger the demographic, the greater the distress.

Biblical Approaches to Child Anxiety

There’s a lot of good advice out there regarding spending time outside, staying connected with people, being thankful, and managing negative thoughts. However, some advice recommends how to focus on things that make you feel strong, things that make you feel in control, and things that make you feel capable. I have to laugh at that, because the minute I start thinking I’m strong or I have any control in life, it seems like I get hit by the Reality Mac Truck.

Better than feeling in control myself is knowing deep down in my heart that God is in control. I’ve given Him my life, and it’s in His hands, to do with as my loving Father sees fit, and I’m okay with that. If the worst happens and I die, it’s actually the best, because I’ll be with him more fully. There is truly nothing in this world I can depend on, either materially, physically, or relationally. The only thing I can depend on is the truth in God’s Word, the Bible. His Word brings so much comfort that I can say with David in Psalm 131:2, “I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content.”

Faith as the Foundation for Emotional Wellness

In Hebrews 11:6 it says that without faith it is impossible to please God. And you know what? Our faith not only pleases Him, but it gives us peace that passes understanding. Philippians 4:6 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Now that’s good mental health.

Practical Ways to Help Children Manage Anxiety Through Faith

I want to challenge you to do two things for children to help them with anxiety:

1. Model Childlike Faith

First, develop childlike faith in your Heavenly Father yourself, so they can emulate you. Talk about how you are doing it, so they don’t just think, “Mom is so chill” but they think, “Mom rests in God.”

Children learn more from what we do than what we say. When they see you turning to God’s Word during stressful times, praying about your concerns, and finding peace in His promises, they’ll naturally begin to develop these same healthy spiritual habits.

2. Build Daily Spiritual Habits

Second, spend time with them in the Word, and in prayer, and teach them to spend time with God every day themselves, both focused time and practicing awareness of His presence all day. This practice will build and deepen their relationship with you as well as with God.

CEF has wonderful devotionals for children. The Every Day with God series is for ages 6-8 and the Wonder Devotionals are for ages 9 and up. A well-known Bible teacher called these devotionals “systematic theology for children” because they start with the basics about who God is, then Jesus, and then the Holy Spirit and other important basics. You can find these devotionals at cefpress.com.

Scripture-Based Anxiety Management for Children

Here are some additional practices that can help children manage anxiety through a biblical perspective:

• Scripture memorization: Help children memorize verses about God’s care and protection, such as Psalm 56:3, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.”
• Prayer journaling: For older children, encourage them to write down their worries and then write a prayer about each one, giving their concerns to God.
• Breathing prayers: Teach children to take deep breaths while saying short prayers like “God is with me” or “Jesus, give me peace.”
• Bedtime blessing: Establish a routine of praying over your child at bedtime, asking God to give them peaceful sleep and freedom from worry.

The world is a crazy and uncertain place, but God’s love for us is solid. Inform yourself about what’s going on, but don’t let the news on TV be your family’s steady diet. Feed on God’s Word like contented little children and trust your Heavenly Father.

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