Caught in the Crossfire: Why Kids Live in Fear

She was just 15. The stray bullet was not meant for her. The news commentator said she was a victim–Caught in the Crossfire, but Trinity was still dead. Trinity’s high profile death exposes a larger epidemic that youth face globally–a fear for their own safety.

Students are Caught in a Crossfire of Fear–and not just from a hail of bullets. They face the fear of terrorism, war, disease, bullies, rejection, discrimination, tests and a dozen other challenges they could list if you were to ask them.

One student recently told his dad he was afraid to even continue going to the mall. Add to that list: school, movie theaters or most any public place. I am not trying to play the part of “Chicken Little”–being the alarmist. I do however want to call attention to the fact that fear is a strong influencer in the life of a young person in today’s world.

At first glance it would be easy to categorize the wide range of fears, tests to terrorism, with casual relevance. But it is imperative to keep in mind the paralyzing grip each fear maintains over individual students. One student greatest fear may be another’s greatest strength.

Surveys from the last several years continue to show a pattern as it relates to the fears of youth. For example, “taking tests” has probably always been on the list; but the pressure to get into college is increasing, revealing their fear of the future.

• 7% of teens are afraid of taking tests. ¹
• 30% of teens are afraid of being bullied. ¹
• 6 of teens are afraid of depression or suicide. ¹
• 66% of teens are afraid of the future. ¹
• Being raped is one of the most common fears among young people in grades 7 to 12. ²
• Being kidnapped is one of the top fears of ages 7 to 10. ²
• Getting Aids or cancer is a major fear of ages 11 to 18. ²

Manifestation of student’s fears range from withdrawal to behavioral issues. You cannot always judge fears by personality or behavior. The timid student may have fewer fears than the bold one who seems to be taking charge. Never make assumptions based on shyness or bravado.

However, God uses leader’s life-on-life influence on students to create growth strategies to overcome negative life patterns.

I realize there are no easy, quick-fix answers for student’s fears. I do believe these six basic concepts can help you help students who are Caught in the Crossfire of Fear:

1. Get to really know them. – Discover their background, home life, and what school life is like. Who are they and what is the core cause of their fear(s)?
2. Ask good questions. – Help identify the real fear. Sometimes students are fighting with the wrong giants in their lives. Asking the right questions will be invaluable to the process.
3. Be a real person. – Be accessible, a real person, one with whom they can relate. Also, it is okay for them to know that you face your own fears.
4. Give them hope. – Communicate the security found in Christ. Because of what He endured, he understands, cares and will meet them where they live.
5. Offer to walk with them. – Don’t just give them a quick answer but offer to walk with them on their journey to freedom from fear.
6. Commit to pray for them. – Make a commitment and then follow through. Communicate with them periodically via phone, text or social media about praying for them.

Youth today are Caught in the Crossfire of Fear. They are being hit by the stray bullets of a plethora of fears but we can pull them to safety . . . if we dare. The most powerful tool we have to use is the Bible which reminds us, God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7

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¹ StageofLife.com Trend Report: Teens Overcoming Fear, <http://www.stageoflife.com/StageHighSchool/WhatDoTeensFear.aspx>

² Terrorism, kidnapping among top fears for today’s youth, <http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/04/16/children.fears/>