While you may not always succeed, your silent reliance on the Lord conveys a powerful message. By demonstrating how to trust God in times of uncertainty, you teach your child something far more enduring than mere control or certainty. By placing your trust in God during uncertain times, you impart to your child the invaluable lessons of faith and reliance.

Change affects every family. Some changes are exciting, such as moving into a new home or welcoming a new baby. Some changes are painful, such as divorce, illness, or the loss of a relationship. Even joyful changes can be disorienting, while painful ones can feel devastating. For children, the uncertainty that comes with any change can be overwhelming.

Kids thrive on predictability. They feel safe when their surroundings are familiar and secure. When life changes unexpectedly, they may lack the words or perspective to comprehend what is happening. Their behavior might change. They might ask the same questions multiple times, act out, or become unusually withdrawn. Beneath those behaviors often lies a single, significant question: “Will I be okay?”

Psalm 46 provides insight into understanding our children’s emotions, helping us to be present for them and guiding them to recognize the unchanging nature of God amidst their fears.

When experiencing a big change, children need more than just reassurance; they need clarity about what to expect and who they can rely on. Psalm 46 provides a clear vision of God’s nearness, along with a reassuring reminder that he is strong, present, and faithful, regardless of the changes happening in the world around us.

Psalm 46 begins with a bold and comforting truth:

“God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear
though the earth gives way…”
Psalm 46:1–2

What a vivid picture the psalm paints: the earth gives way, mountains crumble, the seas roar and foam. It’s the language of life unraveling. While it may sound extreme to us, it provides clear insight into how children experiences change. Familiar and predictable things serve as their anchors. When these anchors shift—whether due to a move, a change in school, or a divorce—it can feel as though their entire world is being pulled out from under them. What seems manageable to us as adults can feel chaotic to a child. The ground is trembling. The waves are crashing. Change evokes deep fears about the uncertainties that lie ahead.

Psalm 46 does not dismiss fear; instead, it acknowledges it and counters it with a greater truth: God is our refuge. He is approachable. He is “a very present help in trouble.” Right now, in this very moment, God is close, powerful, and ready to help.

This is what our children need to see. We can’t protect them from all pain or control the unpredictability of change. We can support them through this journey by reminding them that even when life changes, God remains the same. He is our refuge.

Listening to Your Child’s Uncertainty

When your child is having difficulty adjusting to change, help them to identify what feels scary or sad. Take the time to acknowledge their fears. Encourage them to discuss them. As your child goes through changes, you can expect to hear the same questions repeatedly: “Where will I sleep?” “Will I still see my friends?” “What if I don’t like my new school?”
These questions are often more about emotional security than information. They are asking, “Can I trust you? Am I going to be, okay?” Instead of dismissing them, embrace each one as an opportunity to provide calm reassurance and gently repeat the truth: God is with us. You are not alone in this.

Also, you can help them discover where God meets them (and you) in the middle of the changes. You could say:

• “God knows what we are feeling and promises to help us.”
• “Even when everything changes, God stays the same.”
• “He is strong enough to carry what we’re uncertain or afraid of.”

These aren’t mere comforting phrases—they’re spiritual truths that take root through repetition and as you live them out together. As your children see you turning to God in times of uncertainty, they’ll learn to do the same.

Teaching Children to Find Shelter in God

Over time, children need more than just answers—they need a sense of security. A picture of where they can go when they feel overwhelmed. That’s why the imagery of refuge is both comforting and tangible, providing a clear sense of the security their hearts long for.

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