Talking About God When We’re Scared
Bible Readings
Take a few minutes to read the Bible verses listed and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you in how this verse applies to you this week.
Exodus 3:1-12, Philippians 4:13
1 One day, Moses was taking care of the sheep and goats of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian, and Moses decided to lead them across the desert to Sinai, the holy mountain. 2 There an angel of the appeared to him from a burning bush. Moses saw that the bush was on fire, but it was not burning up. 3 “This is strange!” he said to himself. “I'll go over and see why the bush isn't burning up.” 4 When the saw Moses coming near, he called him by name from the bush, and Moses answered, “Here I am.” 5 God replied, “Don't come any closer. Take off your sandals—the ground where you are standing is holy. 6 I am the God who was worshiped by your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” Moses was afraid to look at God, and so he hid his face. 7 The said: I have seen how my people are suffering as slaves in Egypt, and I have heard them beg for my help because of the way they are being mistreated. I feel sorry for them, 8 and I have come down to rescue them from the Egyptians. I will bring my people out of Egypt into a country where there is a lot of good land, rich with milk and honey. I will give them the land where the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites now live. 9 My people have begged for my help, and I have seen how cruel the Egyptians are to them. 10 Now go to the king! I am sending you to lead my people out of his country. 11 But Moses said, “Who am I to go to the king and lead your people out of Egypt?” 12 God replied, “I will be with you. And you will know that I am the one who sent you, when you worship me on this mountain after you have led my people out of Egypt.”
Exodus 3:1-12
Memory Verse
Psalm 56:3
3 Many of them are pursuing and attacking me,
Emma sat down beside Sophia on the bus. As they drove through the city streets, the two girls chatted about their classes, the fun they had at recess, and what they were going to do over the weekend.
“We might go to the pool after church,” said Emma.
“Emma,” said Sophia. “You talk about church and Jesus a lot. Why do you like him so much?”
Emma panicked. What if she said the wrong thing? What if Sophia no longer wanted to be her friend if she told her the answer? What if Sophia thought she was silly? Her stomach filled with butterflies, and she thought she might throw up.
It’s not always easy to tell people about God. Look at Moses. God came to him in a burning bush and asked him to go tell the Egyptians and Israelites about him. Moses said, “No.”
He told God that he didn’t know what to say about him (Exodus 3:13). And, even if he did, the people wouldn’t listen to him (Exodus 3:11) or believe him (Exodus 4:1) anyway, because he wasn’t a good speaker (Exodus 4:10).
Like Emma, Moses was afraid to tell people about God. And so, he asked God to send someone else (Exodus 4:13). He almost let his fears stop him from being part of something amazing.
It can be scary to step out of your comfort zone and tell someone about God. But don’t let your fear hold you back. God will be with you just like he was with Moses (Exodus 3:12). And he has promised you that you can do all things with his help (Philippians 4:13).
Prayer
Dear Jesus, sometimes I am scared. Sometimes I don’t want to talk about you. Please give me the strength I need and the right words to say so I can be ready to speak when you need me to speak. Amen.Related Resources
Christina Van Starkenburg
Christina Van Starkenburg is an award-winning freelance writer and author of The Key Thief and One Tiny Turtle: A Story You Can Colour. In her free time, she enjoys reading, dancing, and exploring the world with her husband and three kids. Visit her at www.christinavanstarkenburg.com to read more.