God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
Psalm 46:1-3
Scripture often speaks to our fearful human hearts. “Do not be afraid, God is with you,” is a common theme we find throughout Scripture. Even if the earth gives way and the mountains fall, we do not need to fear because God is with us as our refuge and strength. Even when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we do not need to be afraid, because God is with us as our comfort and guide. No matter what we encounter, no matter what makes our human hearts faint with fear, we are not alone, we are loved, God is with us.
Unfortunately, it is fairly common for fear to become the central feature of our lives. When this happens our fear can lead us to obsessions, addictions and frustrated attempts to control ourselves and others. Fear can lead us to judge and attack anyone who seems to be a threat. Our fears leave us agitated, depressed and full of dread.
It is true that there is much to be afraid of in this world. We fear all kinds of losses. We fear death. We fear humiliation and rejection. We fear pain. We fear loneliness. We fear meaninglessness. We fear the unknown. We fear fear itself.
But most deeply of all, we fear that we are on our own in this world. We fear that we are not loved or valued by our Creator. We fear that we are judged, condemned and abandoned by the One who made us.
What we long for most is to know that we are loved and valued and that no matter what happens in life, we won’t have to face it alone—we will be given the help, strength and grace we need. We long to know that we can find refuge in the loving arms of God.
Prayer often involves listening to the Spirit speak tender, powerful, personal reassurances to us when we are afraid. Prayer is listening deeply to the surprising and life giving words of God, “Don’t be afraid, I am here with you. I am your refuge. I am your help and strength. I am here always. You can find comfort and rest in my loving arms.”
God calls us out of the many traps that fear can create in our lives. God does not promise us a life free of suffering and loss. But God faithfully, persistently promises to be with us through all of life, bearing our sorrows, and giving us strength, comfort and hope even in the darkest hours.
Prayer is a response to God’s call to release our fears to God and to know that God is powerfully, lovingly present with us in all of life.
You know my fears.
You know how they come unbidden to my heart and mind.
In the middle of the night. In the light of day.
You know my fear of loss and death and abandonment.
You know my fear of fear.
You know all the things I do in
an effort to keep these fears under control.
And you know the problems that are created
when I try to control the uncontrollable.
So I bring my fears to you.
Help me to listen deeply to your voice of love.
Remind me again that you are with me—no matter what.
Remind me that you are my refuge and my strength.
When all is well and when the mountains fall.
Be my safety, my hope, my refuge, my ever-present help.
Prayer suggestion.
Ask for God’s help as you list the fears that commonly distress you. Next to each fear write down what you do in reaction to this fear (try to control others, withdraw from others, distract yourself, etc.) Talk with God about what you have written.
Ask for help to listen as God says to you, “I am your refuge and strength. I am with you now and always. Do not fear. You are not alone. I love you. I am with you to help you.”
As you are ready, release each fear, and each attempt to deal with it on your own. Acknowledge to God the ways in which you hurt others because of your fears. Picture yourself resting in God’s loving arms.
As I read this, I finished reading Palms 84 and how the Lord is a sun and a shield. I’m reminded of being surrounded by family I had to live with after losing everything in a bad marriage thinking, well they are a Christian family, you think love and healing, little did I know how mistreated and belittled I was going to be treated especially with a man that always said He was a man of God. Going through many years of spiritual abuse, I realized, you can be surrounded by alot of wrong people and be very lonely. I love the freedom I have now to heal wirh Jesus even though the road has been painful and I still get many triggers since I still hear of family members through others. Im still always putting up a shield waiting for someone to hurt me. The blessing is I have seen God intervene in my life and opened and closed doors for me no one would be able to do. I’m learning He is that Shield to not Fear but I daily have to rise up to put on that garment or I fall back. Thank you Juanita for your words of comfort. Through sisters like you I dont feel alone and I want to be gentle on myself.
Elizabeth, I am grateful with you for the freedom you have now to heal these wounds with Jesus.I am so grateful for the ways you have experienced God guiding you and caring for you.I know how healing that can be. And I love what you are saying about God being your Shield. Your thoughts remind me of Psalm 3:3, that says, “You, Lord, are a Shield around me, my glory, you lift up my head.” The whole of Psalm 3 is so helpful. Thank you for your vulnerable sharing here, Elizabeth. Bless you as you continue on this journey.