JUMP ANYWAY: Raising Courageous Kids in an Anxious, Fearful World

It’s a familiar scene for many parents: you’re waist-deep in a pool, encouraging your hesitant child to jump from the edge into your arms. Fear holds them back, yet they finally leap. The thrill of that first jump is unforgettable…as long as you catch them! 

That simple moment reflects a broader truth: our children are growing up in a culture increasingly shaped by fear. The Anxious Generation has topped the New York Times bestseller list for over a year, revealing just how deep this anxiety runs.

But fear is not meant to define us. In Scripture, the apostle Paul offers a better way. Writing to Timothy, he reminds him and us that “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). At Indian Rocks Christian School, we believe these qualities are biblical ideals essential to raising resilient, Christ-centered young people.

Here’s what it takes to raise children who face life with courage instead of fear:

  1. A Sound Mind

Rudyard Kipling famously wrote, “If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs…” A sound mind is a steady mind anchored in Scripture, guided by wisdom, and unshaken by the chaos around it.

  1. A Servant’s Heart

C.S. Lewis said, “Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it’s thinking of yourself less.” A servant’s heart puts others first, following Christ’s example of compassion and selflessness.

  1. Skilled Hands

Dorothy Sayers once said, “The first demand that following Christ makes on a carpenter is that he should make good tables.” Effectiveness matters. The way our children steward their gifts reflects the God they serve.

These three qualities, sound mind, servant’s heart, and skilled hands, are at the heart of the IRCS Portrait of a Graduate. They’re not just academic goals; they’re spiritual ones. And they don’t develop by accident.

As a parent, partner with us by considering ways to develop these traits in your child at home. Together, we can prepare your child to jump and soar!