Looking to God: Mental Wellbeing in the Psalms

Our children hear lots of good advice about how to look after their mental and emotional wellbeing at school or through online resources – to think positively, to ask for help, to practice gratitude and to learn self-regulating strategies. While many of these are helpful tools, they can encourage us to look within ourselves – at our own strengths and abilities – or to just look to the world around us for the positives. But these things are unreliable. What do we do when they let us down?

As Christians, we have something and someone totally dependable to hold on to and to share – the comfort, support and joy of looking to God in every and any situation. We know the one to thank for all of the good things that we enjoy, we have His help that never leaves and we can pray to our powerful and loving heavenly Father who knows us and is able to help in every and any situation.

The Psalms are songs written from the heart, songs that cause us to lift our eyes and minds from what is around us and look to God. In our new series we explore four Psalms that help children and their families to connect with the God who never sleeps, surrounds us with evidence of his goodness and brings joy and safety to all who hide in Him.

For each of the four Psalms that we explore, we are offering:

• A carefully written Sunday School session for under 11s

• A beautifully animated video of the Psalm itself to use in churches

• A family moment video using the video animation and some questions to keep the conversation going at home

• A parent podcast episode, with brilliant guests, to take a deeper look into what our children are hearing elsewhere and how they can look to God for all that they need

• A family podcast episode packed with the usual music, fun facts and questions, ultimately helping families to understand and practically live out the truths these Psalms teach