Being children has its advantages. When we were kids we did not have to worry about anything except probably our games. We did not have to worry about what we would eat, what we would wear, the house payment, or anything like this because our parents were responsible for supplying all our needs.

This is no longer truth when we grow up, for what was our parents’ responsibility is now ours. We stopped depending on our parents and started to depend on ourselves; we become self-sufficient. This is law of life.

The problem is that self-sufficiency often leads to anxiety. We want to control everything, and when we fail, this leads to stress and emotional illnesses. God wants us to be responsible, but does not want us to be anxious.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:6-7

This is great promise, but I have to admit that for those who like to have control over everything it is not easy to wait and much less to receive peace. It was definitely easier when we were kids. This is why Jesus said we must become like children.

Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven – Matthew 18:3

Only by trusting God the same way that children trust their parents we can truly take possession of the promises that God gave us in His word. God does not want us to be like children in our thinking (1 Corinthians 14:20), but rather to be like children in terms of the relationship and dependency they have with their parents. We see this clearly in the model prayer that Jesus gave us, teaching us that we shall not approach God as “our God” but rather as “Our Father” (our relationship with him). This is also clearly seen in the same prayer when we are taught to pray “Give us this day our daily bread” (our dependence of him).

Although we are expected to stop being dependent on our parents, we can never stop our dependence on our Heavenly Father. The world we are living in is not easy, but we know that no matter happens the children of God have their victory secured.

In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the word. – John 16:33

We must decide whether to continue living our lives at the mercy of stress or if we want to live trusting our Heavenly Father. Let us seek God as children trust their parents, and let us learn to depend on Him: He will take care of us.

“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. – Matthew 6:31-33