Fireworks and Feelings: A Fourth of July Reflection on Children’s Emotions, Grief, and God’s Comfort
Fireworks and Feelings: A Fourth of July Reflection on Children’s Emotions, Grief, and God’s Comfort
🧨 Fireworks and Emotions – A Powerful Connection
Fireworks are a classic sign that the Fourth of July—our country’s Independence Day—has arrived. Adults and children alike purchase these explosive, light-filled displays to celebrate a holiday that draws people outdoors in joyful anticipation. Colorful and creative, fireworks inspire "oohs" and "aahs," igniting excitement across the country.
Yet, amidst the thrill, we often fail to pause and consider the emotional impact of fireworks, especially for pets, neighbors, and most importantly, children. Like fireworks, children's emotions can be sudden, bright, chaotic, and overwhelming.
These intense feelings aren't flaws to fix, but signals of deeper needs—a need for reassurance, for understanding, and ultimately, for the calming promises of God. As Psalm 56:8 (NLT) reminds us: "You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle." What a powerful image of God’s tender care for every emotion we feel!
🕊️ Permission to Feel: Creating Safe Spaces for Healing
God doesn’t tell us to hide or suppress our emotions. In fact, when Lazarus died, Jesus wept openly, showing us it’s okay to express grief. Jesus knew He would bring Lazarus back to life, but He also understood the importance of allowing space for emotions as he watched Lazarus' family cry. When we give children the chance to cry, question, or be angry in safe spaces, healing comes naturally.
Unfortunately, many times children are told to "be brave" in difficult circumstances, which can rob them of the opportunity to grieve. In Christian parenting, it's crucial to recognize that emotions are part of God’s design, not something to hide.
As Psalm 34:18 (NIV) says: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” God welcomes our raw emotions—and He is near to those who are hurting.
🌈 Brave Faces, Safe Places: Helping Children Process Grief
A child shouldn’t be told they need to be brave when their world is falling apart. Instead, they should be guided to place their trust in Jesus and shown what that means. When my father died in a farm accident, many people told my oldest sister she needed to be brave and help my mom. While that may have been appropriate later, it denied her the space to grieve.
In moments of loss and hardship, having an adult or a safe place to express emotions is essential. God’s sheltering presence is reflected through the adults who provide that space for children. As Psalm 32:7 (NIV) says, “You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.” What a comforting picture of God’s love and protection!
🌟 A Final Word: Helping Children Cope with Grief
If you have a child who has experienced strong emotions due to loss, or if you know someone in that situation, please keep an eye out for my upcoming children’s book -- And the Sun Came Up: A True Story of Grief and Hope. This book, set to release this fall, is my personal story of hope in the face of grief—written from my own experience when I was 8 years old. I have also included my "Seven Affirmations of Hope" as a FREE resource on my website.
