No. 45
From Wendy Howard [Editor of Despatch magazine], Sunshine Coast, Qld, Australia.
Access Online  http://www.despatch.cth.com.au/Main/tabco_main

That night he curled up in a ball under the blankets.
He didn’t want the lights of the house turned out.
But finally it pitch dark, and he just lay there afraid.
His face felt very hot, and his head ached.
All sorts of thoughts came into his mind.
Dean didn’t feel safe anymore.
After worrying and thinking for a long time in the dark,
a little line from a song he knew came into his head.
“What a friend we have in Jesus. What a friend we have in Jesus.”

Dean thought, “I will tell the Lord about being scared and feeling small.”
So he began to talk to God.
Right away he felt a little better.
He told God everything.
About how  the boy Bob Grant had been hit by a car and died.
About the bombers and shooters.
He told God how he just couldn’t stand laying awake at night being scared.
You know in just a short time Dean felt really peaceful in his heart.
After a little while he just dropped off to sleep.
Next morning things seemed much better.
Mum said at breakfast, “You look bright and cheery this morning, Dean.”
He just smiled.
Dean had a good friend and powerful One, the Lord Jesus Christ.

A PRAYER
“ Dear Heavenly Father, I feel scared sometimes. I am so glad You are there to care for me. Thank You for never leaving me. I want to know You better so that I can talk to You about my fears. I want You to make me peaceful inside. Thank You because I am safe forever with You. I am so glad that You are with me every dark night, so close to me and caring. Amen.”

Teenagers often try to hide their fears behind “having fun.”
They can think that if they have fun and more fun then they will be alright. Just as though they think , “if I don’t enjoy myself now, I might not get a chance to later on.” Fun doesn’t really help. It only makes kids forget problems as long as they are “raging.” Drugs are useless too, they only make problems much bigger and far worse than before!
What everyone needs, whether they are young or old, is a powerful, mighty Divine Lord and FRIEND!
If you could have the President of the United States for a personal  friend, maybe you think you would feel pretty safe and privileged.
You have someone massively greater than the President as your personal carer and companion. The Lord Jesus Christ.
If you could have the richest man in the world as your personal friend, maybe you think you would feel safe as houses.
If you have Jesus as your Saviour, you have Someone massively greater and more powerful than that.
And He is REAL and He loves you.
Don’t ever worry.
Take everything to the Lord in prayer.