Braving Change

Bible Reading: Joshua 1:9

Nate sighed as he pulled clothes out of his closet and put them in a box. He didn’t like change. He didn’t even like to change the color of his socks. He liked to do everything the same every day. But things weren’t going to be the same anymore. He and his family were moving to South America to be missionaries.

Looking at his empty closet, Nate felt very anxious and afraid. Everything that was familiar to him was quickly going to change. He fell across his bed and began to cry.

Mom walked into his room and sat on the edge of the bed. “Nate, are you okay?”

Nate, hugging his favorite stuffed toy, slowly turned over. “Everything is going to be so different, and that makes me worried.”

Mom gave him a hug. “I know it’s scary to think about, but Jesus will be with us, just like He’s with us here. He promises to never leave us.”

Mom smiled as Samson, their dog, came into Nate’s room with a chew toy and dropped it at the foot of Nate’s bed. “Remember when we brought Samson home from the animal shelter and how scared he was?”

Nate nodded. “All he wanted to do was hide in his kennel.”

“Yes. But he soon learned he was safe and he didn’t have to hide. He realized we cared for him, and pretty soon he was running around and playing with us. We can feel that same security. Knowing that we belong to Jesus and that He’s always with us gives us the security to feel at home, no matter where we are.”

Mom grabbed Nate’s Bible off the dresser and began to read to him. “Deuteronomy 31:8. ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.’”

After Mom read some more verses and said a prayer with him, Nate said, “If Samson can be brave, then I can be brave too because God will be with us wherever we go.”

A week later, Nate bounded onto the airplane with his mom and dad. He was ready for their new adventure, and he even wore a different color of socks!

-Lisa Fuller

How About You?

Have you experienced a big change in your life? Did it make you feel worried and anxious? Change can be hard, but we can face it even when it’s scary because Jesus promises to help us through it. He saved us and won’t ever leave us. In Matthew 28:20, He tells us, “And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Isn’t it awesome to know that?

Today’s Key Verse:
Isaiah 41:10 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. (NLT)

Today’s Key Thought:

Don’t be afraid