Start where you are

How are you feeling?

Pick one. You'll find a few short lessons, prayers, and stories that speak to it. Nothing you pick is saved.

Anxious

Luther knew this feeling. As a young monk he worried all the time about whether God was angry with him. What finally helped was hearing that God's love is a gift, given in Jesus.

Trail stop
Erfurt: The Anxious MonkHow Luther's worry about God turned into good news.
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Teach Us to Pray
Daily BreadWhat counts as daily bread, and why ask for only one day?
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Memorize
Evening BlessingLuther's bedtime prayer: “For into Thy hands I commend myself.”
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Too heavy to carry alone? Tell a pastor, leader, or other trusted adult, or get help now.

↑ Pick a different feeling

Afraid

Fear doesn't mean your faith is weak. Luther wrote “A Mighty Fortress” from Psalm 46 for people who were afraid.

Trail stop
Coburg: The Singing ReformerA hymn about God as a safe place.
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Trail stop
Worms: The UnshakenLuther asked for a night to think, and found his courage.
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Teach Us to Pray
Lead Us, Deliver UsDoes God tempt us? What are we asking to be kept from?
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Memorize
Morning BlessingA prayer to start the day under God's care.
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Too heavy to carry alone? Tell a pastor, leader, or other trusted adult, or get help now.

↑ Pick a different feeling

Lonely

Luther spent about ten months hidden in a castle, mostly alone. He called it his wilderness. God was there anyway.

Trail stop
Wartburg: The Hidden TranslatorA lonely season that became Luther's greatest work.
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Teach Us to Pray
Our FatherWhy do we call God “Father” when we pray?
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When We Gather
The GatheringWhat the congregation is doing when it comes together.
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Too heavy to carry alone? Tell a pastor, leader, or other trusted adult, or get help now.

↑ Pick a different feeling

Sad or grieving

Christians grieve too. Luther and Katharina lost two children, and they wept. Easter doesn't erase sadness. It promises that death won't have the last word.

He Is Risen
Waiting in the DarkThe Saturday between the cross and Easter.
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Called and Sent
The Promise HoldsWhat faith says about death, and what Lutherans hope for.
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He Is Risen
Alive in UsWhat Easter means for people who have died.
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Too heavy to carry alone? Tell a pastor, leader, or other trusted adult, or get help now.

↑ Pick a different feeling

Angry

Anger isn't a sin by itself. Jesus got angry too. The question is what we do next.

Teach Us to Pray
Forgive UsWhy does this prayer tie our forgiveness to forgiving others?
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Ten Words
True WordsHow words can protect a neighbor instead of hurting them.
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Trail stop
Wittenberg: The Reluctant RebelWhat Luther did when something seemed wrong.
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Too heavy to carry alone? Tell a pastor, leader, or other trusted adult, or get help now.

↑ Pick a different feeling

Guilty

Lutherans believe forgiveness is spoken out loud, so you can hear it. It's for you.

Washed and Fed
Forgiven Out LoudWhy we confess our sins, and what happens when we do.
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Washed and Fed
Drowned and RaisedWhy Luther said Baptism is for every day.
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Memorize
What Confession IsLuther's plain words about confession.
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He Is Risen
The CrossWhy did Jesus die, and why do we call that Friday good?
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Too heavy to carry alone? Tell a pastor, leader, or other trusted adult, or get help now.

↑ Pick a different feeling

Not good enough

This is the heart of what Luther discovered. You're made right with God by grace, through faith, as a gift. You don't have to earn it.

The Big Story
A PromiseAbraham trusted God's promise, and God counted it as righteousness.
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Washed and Fed
The Water and the WordWhat God does in Baptism.
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Called and Sent
Holy CallingWhat your everyday life has to do with God.
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Washed and Fed
Given for YouWho is welcome at the table.
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Too heavy to carry alone? Tell a pastor, leader, or other trusted adult, or get help now.

↑ Pick a different feeling

Unsure about God

Questions are welcome here. Luther asked hard ones too. You don't need to have it figured out to start.

8 short steps
Start hereFor anyone new to faith, coming back, or never baptized.
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The Creed Path
NicaeaWhat is a creed, and why do we use them?
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He Is Risen
Alive in UsWhat Easter means for people who doubt.
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The Creed Path
Your TableWhat do you say about faith and God?
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Too heavy to carry alone? Tell a pastor, leader, or other trusted adult, or get help now.

↑ Pick a different feeling

Thankful

Luther said even daily bread includes good friends, good weather, and a good home. Thankfulness notices all of it.

How the Church Got Here
ThanksgivingWhat the Bible says about giving thanks.
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Teach Us to Pray
Daily BreadEverything we need for life is a gift.
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Memorize
Grace Before MealsA short prayer of thanks to learn by heart.
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Called and Sent
In TrustWhat faith has to do with what you have.
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Too heavy to carry alone? Tell a pastor, leader, or other trusted adult, or get help now.

↑ Pick a different feeling

Helping a younger child with a big feeling?

FablePixels, our sister site, has a feelings page for kids about 4 to 12. A child picks a feeling and gets one small thing to try, plus Bible stories where people felt the same way.

Open the FablePixels feelings page

If it's really bad right now

You don't have to handle it alone. Tell a pastor, leader, or other trusted adult: a parent, a teacher, or a coach.

If someone is hurting you: call or text Childhelp at 1-800-422-4453, any time. They speak Spanish too. Being hurt is never your fault.

If you feel hopeless or think about hurting yourself: call or text 988, any time, day or night. It's free and private.

If you're in danger right now: call 911. These numbers are for the U.S.

Call 988Text 988Call Childhelp