Fear. We all have it. It’s a natural part of being human. But what we do with fear? That’s where everything changes.

As parents, we want to protect our children. We want to keep them safe, keep them comfortable, and shield them from the things that might hurt. But what if, in doing so, we accidentally teach them to avoid growth, to fear risk, and to settle for less?

The greatest way we can teach our children how to manage fear is by leading with courage. They are always watching us. They learn more from our actions than our words. And if we want them to be brave, we have to go first.

One of the most powerful lines I’ve ever heard came from a Sunday message. Pastor Caitlin said, “I will never settle for less than God’s best, and I will never settle for a life full of fear.” That single sentence changed the trajectory of my life.

Shortly after, our family made one of the hardest decisions we’ve ever faced. We packed up our lives and moved three hours away from everything familiar — away from our hometown, our friends, our family — in hopes of finding better opportunities, more resources, and a safer community for our children.

My husband and I were terrified.

But we did it anyway.

And it turned out to be the best decision we could have made.

That experience reminded me of this truth: fear doesn’t always go away. But it doesn’t have to stop us. In fact, some of the most life-changing decisions we make will come with trembling hands and uncertain hearts. And that’s okay.

So what do we want to teach our children about fear? Do we want to teach them to stay small? To hold back? To only try when they’re sure they’ll succeed?

Or do we want to teach them to take risks, to try, to fall, to learn, and to rise again? To chase dreams with grit and grace?

When we choose courage over comfort, our children learn to do the same.

“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

Your bravery could be the reason they believe in what’s possible.

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