The Worry Monster

The Worry Monster

A Devotional for Young Hearts (Ages 7-14)

Opening Thought

Have you ever felt like there's a monster living in your brain? Not a scary, Halloween-type monster, but a worry monster that whispers things like: "What if you fail that test?" "What if your friends don't like you anymore?" "What if something bad happens to your family?" "What if you're not good enough?"

This worry monster seems to have an endless supply of "what if" questions, and it especially likes to visit at bedtime when you're trying to sleep. The worry monster isn't actually real, but the feelings it creates are very real—racing heart, sweaty palms, trouble concentrating, and that anxious feeling in your stomach.

Here's the good news: God knows about your worry monster, and He has given you powerful tools to shrink it down to size. You don't have to let worry take over your mind or steal your peace. God has a better plan for your thoughts and your heart.

God's Word Says...

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
Matthew 6:34 (NIV)

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."
1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)

"When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?"
Psalm 56:3-4 (NIV)

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
Joshua 1:9 (NIV)

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
John 14:27 (NIV)

Common Worry Monsters for Your Age

The School Performance Monster

What it whispers: "What if you fail the test? What if you forget everything? What if you're not smart enough? What if you disappoint your parents?" The truth: Your worth isn't based on your grades. God loves you whether you get an A or a D, and one test doesn't determine your future.

The Social Acceptance Monster

What it whispers: "What if your friends reject you? What if you say something embarrassing? What if you're not invited? What if everyone thinks you're weird?" The truth: The right friends will like you for who you really are. God accepts you completely, and His opinion matters most.

The Family Security Monster

What it whispers: "What if your parents get divorced? What if someone you love gets sick? What if your family doesn't have enough money? What if something terrible happens?" The truth: God is in control even when life feels uncertain. He promises to take care of you no matter what happens.

The Future Fear Monster

What it whispers: "What if you never figure out what you want to do? What if you make the wrong choices? What if you can't handle growing up?" The truth: God has good plans for your future, and He'll guide you step by step. You don't have to figure everything out right now.

The Perfect Performance Monster

What it whispers: "What if you make a mistake? What if you let people down? What if you're not good enough at sports/music/art?" The truth: Everyone makes mistakes, and that's how we learn. God loves you for who you are, not what you accomplish.

The World Events Monster

What it whispers: "What if something bad happens in the world? What if there's a natural disaster? What if scary things happen that you see on the news?" The truth: God is bigger than any problem in the world, and He's taking care of you. You don't have to carry the weight of the whole world on your shoulders.

Biblical Heroes Who Faced Their Worry Monsters

David - The Worry Monster Fighter

David had plenty of reasons to worry—giant enemies, jealous kings trying to kill him, and the pressure of leading a nation. But David developed the habit of talking to God about his fears. He wrote many psalms that start with worry and end with trust. David learned that when he gave his worries to God, God gave him peace in return.

Esther - Facing Fear with Faith

Esther had to do something that could have gotten her killed—approach the king without being invited to save her people. She was scared, but she chose to trust God and do what was right. Her courage didn't mean she wasn't afraid; it meant she acted in faith despite her fear.

Joshua - The Reluctant Leader

When God asked Joshua to lead the Israelites, Joshua was probably terrified. That's why God had to tell him three times in one chapter to "be strong and courageous." Joshua's worry monster was probably screaming about all the ways he could fail, but God reminded him that He would be with him wherever he went.

Gideon - The Fearful Warrior

Gideon was hiding from enemies when God called him a "mighty warrior." Gideon's worry monster was so loud that he needed multiple signs from God to believe he could do what God asked. But God was patient with Gideon's fears and helped him become brave one step at a time.

How the Worry Monster Tricks You

It Makes Mountains Out of Molehills

The worry monster takes small problems and makes them seem huge. A failed quiz becomes "I'm going to fail the entire grade." A friend being busy becomes "They hate me and I'll never have friends again."

It Focuses on Worst-Case Scenarios

The worry monster always assumes the worst possible thing will happen. If your parents are talking seriously, it assumes they're getting divorced. If you feel a little sick, it assumes something terrible is wrong.

It Steals Your Today by Making You Worry About Tomorrow

The worry monster wants you to spend all your time today being anxious about things that might happen tomorrow (but probably won't). This steals your ability to enjoy the good things happening right now.

It Makes You Feel Powerless

The worry monster wants you to believe there's nothing you can do about your problems, so you should just worry about them constantly. But worry doesn't solve problems—action and trust in God do.

It Lies About God's Character

The worry monster tries to convince you that God doesn't care about your problems, can't handle them, or won't help you. But all of these are lies that contradict what God has promised in His Word.

Practical Tools for Shrinking Your Worry Monster

The God Box Technique

Write your worries on pieces of paper and put them in a special box (your "God box"). This physical action helps you practice giving your worries to God. When you catch yourself worrying about something you already put in the box, remind yourself that you've given it to God.

The 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Method

When worry starts to overwhelm you, use your senses to ground yourself in the present moment:

• 5 things you can see

• 4 things you can touch

• 3 things you can hear

• 2 things you can smell

• 1 thing you can taste

This pulls your mind away from future fears and into the present reality.

The Truth vs. Lies Chart

When the worry monster whispers lies, combat them with God's truth:

• Worry: "Something terrible will happen" → Truth: "God is in control and cares for me"

• Worry: "I'm not good enough" → Truth: "God loves me exactly as I am"

• Worry: "I can't handle this" → Truth: "God will give me strength for whatever comes"

The Worry Time Limit

Set aside 10 minutes a day as "worry time." When worries pop up during the day, tell them to wait until worry time. Then during your designated worry time, pray about each concern and ask God for wisdom about which ones you can actually do something about.

The Peace Verse Memory Bank

Memorize verses about God's peace and care. When worry hits, quote these verses to remind yourself of God's truth:

• "Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10)

• "God has not given us a spirit of fear" (2 Timothy 1:7)

• "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13)

The What-Can-I-Control List

Make two columns: "Things I Can Control" and "Things I Can't Control." Focus your energy on the things you can control (like studying for a test or being kind to friends) and give the things you can't control to God.

When to Get Help with Your Worry Monster

Sometimes the worry monster gets so big that you need help from trusted adults. Talk to a parent, teacher, counselor, or pastor if:

• Worry keeps you awake at night regularly

• You can't concentrate on schoolwork because of anxious thoughts

• You avoid activities you used to enjoy because of fear

• You have physical symptoms like stomachaches or headaches from worry

• You feel hopeless or like you can't handle life

• Worry is affecting your friendships or family relationships

Getting help isn't a sign of weakness—it's a sign of wisdom. Even adults need help managing worry sometimes, and God often uses other people to help us find peace.

God's Promises About Your Worries

He Cares About Every Detail

God cares about your math test, your friendship drama, your fears about the future, and even your worries about things that seem small to adults. Nothing that concerns you is too small for His attention.

He's Already in Your Tomorrow

While you can only see today, God can see your entire future. He's already there, preparing the way and working out details you can't even imagine. You can trust Him with what you can't see.

He's Bigger Than Your Biggest Problem

Whatever you're worried about, God is bigger. He created the entire universe, and He can certainly handle your concerns. The same God who controls the stars cares about your daily struggles.

He Has Good Plans for You

God's plans for your life are good, even when you can't see how things will work out. He's not sitting in heaven trying to figure out how to make your life difficult—He's working everything together for your good.

Questions to Think About

1. What does your worry monster whisper to you most often?

2. Which of God's promises about worry do you need to remember most?

3. What's one practical tool you want to try this week when worry hits?

4. How can you help a friend who's struggling with their own worry monster?

Prayer

Dear God, thank You that I don't have to carry all my worries by myself. Help me to remember that You care about everything that concerns me, no matter how big or small it seems. When my worry monster starts whispering lies, remind me of Your truth. Give me the courage to talk to You about my fears instead of letting them grow bigger in my mind. Help me to focus on today instead of worrying about tomorrow. When I can't control something, help me to trust that You can. Fill my heart with Your peace and remind me that You are always with me. In Jesus' name, Amen.

This Week's Challenge: The Worry Monster Battle Plan

Each day this week, practice fighting your worry monster with God's help:

Day 1: Write down your three biggest worries and pray about each one Day 2: When worry hits, try the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding technique Day 3: Memorize one Bible verse about God's peace and say it when you feel anxious Day 4: Make a "Things I Can Control vs. Things I Can't Control" list about a current worry Day 5: Use the "God box" technique—write a worry down and give it to God Day 6: Share one of your worries with a trusted adult and ask for help or prayer Day 7: Thank God for one way He took care of you this week despite your worries

Keep track of:

• Which techniques help you feel more peaceful

• How your worries change when you pray about them

• Times when things you worried about turned out better than expected

• How it feels to share your concerns with God and trusted people

Remember This

Your worry monster wants you to believe that you're alone with your problems, but that's the biggest lie it tells. You have a God who loves you, adults who care about you, and tools to help you manage anxious thoughts.

Worry is like a rocking chair—it gives you something to do but doesn't get you anywhere. Instead of rocking back and forth with anxiety, you can walk forward with faith, knowing that God is holding your hand every step of the way.

You don't have to have perfect peace to have faith. Even when you feel scared or anxious, you can choose to trust God. Courage isn't the absence of fear—it's feeling the fear and trusting God anyway.

Your worry monster may never completely disappear, but it doesn't have to control your life. With God's help, you can shrink it down to size and live with the confidence that comes from knowing you're loved, protected, and cared for by the Creator of the universe.

Remember: You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and more loved than you could ever imagine. And when worry tries to tell you otherwise, you have God's promises to remind you of the truth.