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b'READ: PSALM 139:7-12; ISAIAH 41:9-13\\n\\n\\n\\nWhen we\\u2019re little, all kinds of things scare us. Maybe we\\u2019re afraid of the dark and we need the comfort of a nightlight. Maybe we don\\u2019t want to get on the rides at the fair without a parent or older sibling beside us. When we\\u2019re young and afraid, we gladly accept help to get through the scary times.\\n\\n\\n\\nBut when we get to be a bit older, we start thinking we have to go through things alone. We start believing that if the darkness scares us, we just need to put up with it. But that\\u2019s not true.\\n\\n\\n\\nWe always have someone beside us, no matter what age we are. Jesus is Immanuel, which means \\u201cGod with us\\u201d (Matthew 1:23). Because of His life, death, and resurrection, we don\\u2019t ever have to be alone. Once we\\u2019ve put our trust in Jesus, we can know that we are in fellowship with God. So whenever we\\u2019re afraid, we can turn to God for help, comfort, and courage. Maybe the same things don\\u2019t scare us now that did when we were young, but whatever we\\u2019re afraid of now, we can ask God to help us with it.\\n\\n\\n\\nGod is always there for us, even when we feel alone. Throughout our lives, we\\u2019ll face many scary and uncertain moments, but He will be there through them all. We can trust Him and feel secure with Him by our side, like a child feels when their parent or another loved one sits with them and helps them through life\\u2019s scary moments. \\u2022 Bethany Acker\\n\\n\\n\\n\\u2022 What scared you when you were little? Now that you\\u2019re older, are you afraid of similar things, different things, or maybe some of both?\\n\\n\\n\\n\\u2022 Throughout the book of Psalms, we read poems and songs by David, a shepherd who became the king of Israel and a great warrior. David often felt afraid, and he freely acknowledged this to God and to the people listening to his psalms (Psalm 56:3). Yet, as David turned to God, he was delivered from his fears again and again (Psalm 34:4). David was comforted and strengthened, not by theological knowledge alone, but by God\\u2019s presence with him (Psalm 23:4). Consider taking a moment to tell God about your fears and ask Him to help you know His presence with you more and more. He has compassion on you, and He delights in answering these prayers.\\n\\n\\n\\n\\u201cFor I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.\\u201d Isaiah 41:13 (NIV)'