“The remarkable thing about God is that when you fear God, you fear nothing else, whereas if you do not fear God, you fear everything else.” – Oswald Chambers

 

Recently, my kids and I traveled to our state capitol to join thousands of others who gathered to pray for our country.  I am very focused, as a parent, on equipping my children to impact their world positively, in ways that call them to courage and integrity.  As Franklin Graham spoke, he encouraged Americans to pray, as Nehemiah prayed, with humility and passion.  I stood a few feet back from my children, and I watched them join hands with people of different races, age, and walks of life.  I was moved by the gift they were given in connecting for a cause that is bigger than they are.  I was also struck with just how dark much of our culture has become, and how increasingly difficult it will be for my children to live faithfully according to their God-given convictions, if our nation continues on the road it’s on.  Recently, I read a book called No Fear, what I would call largely a Christian young adult book, which encouraged me as a mom, and challenged me to pray more purposefully for my kids and their generation, but also gave me great hope at the courage of their peers already, taking a stand for the good of our country.

 

No Fear is a collection of “real stories of a courageous new generation standing for truth.”

 

A collection of real-life stories about American kids who stood up to opposition of their faith and of a cause they knew to be morally mandated, this book also ties stories to biblical biographies and principles.  Even more, it includes discussion/journaling questions which would be great for reading this book as a small group.  It is thought-provoking, it is encouraging, and it dares the reader to be bold and humble at the same time.

 

In a time where kids are at risk of not just peer pressure, but full-on attack from adults they should be able to trust to protect their integrity and freedom, it’s a powerful reminder that they can, like others before them in distant and recent history, take a firm stand.  I highly recommend this book for young adult readers, for families with older children, and for small groups.  It opens the door for powerful discussion with kids about what matters, and how they have a role in God’s plan for the world.  As cultural norms become more muddy, those discussions become more vital.  The next generation needs to know, with solid understanding, what they believe.  They need to be equipped intentionally with tools to lead.  They need to be taught to have respectful, intelligent conversation, but also emboldened to have unequaled courage… to speak the truth in love, even at personal cost.

 

No Fear presents for kids and young adults a series of portraits of modern-day heroes, and helps them to see the bigger picture of the story of God’s people being salt and light in this world throughout history… daring them to become central characters in the beautiful story He is writing with their lives.

 

Do you have youth and young adults who need encouragement in their faith walk?  Do you have a story of someone who has been brave, speaking the truth in love?  I’d love to hear.

 

 

I was given a copy of No Fear in exchange for sharing my honest opinion.  I highly recommend this book, and would only share my honest thoughts for readers.