According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, anxiety and depression affect over 8% of children (ages 6-17 years). Schools have started to take notice of these statistics and discussions have started about what to do in classrooms and communities. While there are many factors that impact children and adults, we can begin with kind words as we lovingly work toward solutions.
Kind words are not the entire solution, but they represent a starting point. Kind words can demonstrate empathy and caring. Starting with God's love, we can open our hearts to others and show this love and kindness. We can get to know others. We can understand the troubles that may be weighing us down and how we can lift each other up. We can share the faith in God and how His Word can give us the direction we need to lighten our hearts, to be kind, and to bring cheer to ourselves and those around us!
Turn to God's Word and then offer kind words and His love to overcome anxiety!
Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for Your Word, love and guidance. Please lighten my heart, fill it with love, and help me to lighten others' hearts. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.