The times we’re in can leave us trembling and uncertain. We’re shaky as our seasons shift and games get canceled and pushed back, where protocols change day by day. Finger pointing, cheating and having a me-first attitude seems to surround us. It can be easy to survey the world around us and feel worried and anxious, wondering where the light went and when the darkness will try to knock us down.
When we’re faced with fear or uncertainty, we can be tempted to sit down in the middle of the road and throw our hands in the air, wanting to give up. And although pain, disappointment and anxiety are great, there is still purpose to this path we’re on. God is not finished with us yet, and He is drawing us into a closer relationship with Him in the middle of the mess.
How do we get through? How can our faith be bigger than our fear? How can we stand on solid ground with a firm foundation?
We grab hold of Jesus and cling to three tools that can keep us steady:
Read God’s Word
Even if you don’t feel like it, open your Bible and start reading. Maybe start with the Psalms, which is a book filled with emotion, pleas to God and the assurance of His character. The Bible will tell you of God’s promises. His character is true and gracious, and He promises to never leave you. God cares, though it may sometimes seem like it’s hard to imagine. Go into the darkness and pave your way through by faith. Remember, feelings are not fact. What is fact is we can hold to God’s promises through His Word.
Are you overwhelmed? Worried your situation is going to overtake you? Turn to Isaiah and speak the truth-filled words out loud:
“But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you.
O Israel, the one who formed you says,
“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.
I have called you by name; you are mine.
When you go through deep waters,
I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you.
For I am the Lord, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior” (Isaiah 43:1-3).
Turn on Worship Music
It can be very hard to muster praises when you’re worried or anxious, but fortunately there’s a lot of worship music that can help get us through. Switch on a song and let the lyrics do the talking for you. Even if your heart doesn’t quite feel like it’s in line with the praise, the Holy Spirit inside of you is making requests to the Father on your behalf. Remind yourself that God is at work, He is for you and He is good. Over time, God can shift your heart to echo what the songs are saying. He can lead you to offer up your own praises through reading the Psalms or reciting song lyrics on your own.
“Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to His name” (Hebrews 15:13).
Remember God’s Faithfulness
Hold to your remembrance stones, the markers where you’ve seen God come through for you in the past. In Joshua, the Israelites were instructed to take stones from the Jordan River as a testimony and remembrance to generations to come how God had made a way when there was none and ushered them towards the Promised Land (Joshua 4:19-24). We can do the same. Recall His faithfulness and reflect on the unchanging character of God’s presence. Reread an old journal. Write notes of memories of answered prayers. Call a friend and ask them to remind you of a time God came through for you.
History shows God is good to His children, and He who has been loving before will continue to be. You can count on Him to come through for you. Keep your hands open to receive the way He’s going to be faithful today. If He’s been faithful in the past, He’ll be faithful now.
“The faithful love of the Lord never ends!
His mercies never cease.
Great is his faithfulness;
his mercies begin afresh each morning.” (Lamentations 3:22-23)
Yes, these are trying times. There are a lot of things that can throw us in a tailspin looking for refuge or relief. But we have a gracious and powerful God who is with us and for us. He knows how we’re feeling, and He is hiding us under the shelter of His steady arms.
“He will cover you with His feathers.
He will shelter you with His wings.
His faithful promises are your armor and protection” (Psalm 91:4).
When you’re feeling fear and worry, read God’s Word. Praise with worship music. Remember God’s faithfulness. And look to your Savior. He is more than able to do a mighty work around and within you. He is with you and has already made a way.
-FCA-
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