This week is Children’s Mental Health Week and the need to respond has never felt more urgent. The new buzz word is “resilience” and the lack of it. No one is denying the epidemic of anxiety that has swept this generation, and this isn’t a suggestion to toughen up, it is a recognition that our children need tools to help them deal with their emotions and thoughts before crisis hits.

My sister runs the national charity “Renew Wellbeing” (https://www.renewwellbeing.org.uk/) and was asked to write the “A to Z of Wellbeing for Children”. She kindly invited me to co-write this book which comes out in May.

Each letter focuses on a gospel story. Here’s a sneak peak at three letters.

“Empty” – the rich young ruler comes to Jesus with too much stuff. Sometimes the expectations and demands on children are too great. They need to hold out empty hands to a loving Saviour who knows their real need.

“Lament” – when Mary and Martha grieve over the death of their brother, Jesus doesn’t tell them to toughen up and trust Him. He cries with them. Jesus knows their emotions are real and feels their pain.

“Present” – Peter stands on the water and begins to sink as he focuses on the possible outcomes. All he really needs to do is be in the present and keep His eyes fixed on Jesus.

Would you consider yourself resilient? Is that because you acknowledge your limitations and your need of Jesus? We cannot protect our children from trouble, but we can help them to rely on Jesus, coming with empty hands, honesty about their emotions and trusting in Him for the future.

Debbie Green, Author; Our Daily Bread and Schools Resourcing