Will God Keep Me Safe?

The world is a scary place. Just turning on the evening news is enough to make one tremble in fear. Plane crashes, wars, human trafficking and school shootings dominate the headlines. Getting caught up in current events can certainly contribute to living life in dread, afraid to venture out from the safety of home. 

Have you heard of the book series, The Worst Case Scenario Handbook?  While exaggerated and humorous, the anthology showcases extreme situations and attempts to equip the reader how to successfully navigate each scenario. It’s great for those people who tend to be more pessimistic about life. Well … that’s me–I’m “those people!”

My journey with fear and anxiety began twenty plus years ago in my early thirties, in the throes of my childbearing years. It wasn’t a gradual rise either but seemed to happen overnight. All of a sudden, things that had never bothered me before–health concerns, relationship issues, work stress–now made my heart race, my palms sweat, and my head spin with anxious thoughts. It became so overbearing that within the span of ten years, I had called 911 or went to the ER several times thinking I was having a heart attack, only to be assured that I was experiencing panic attacks.

Anxiety can be scary. Sometimes, counseling, biblical meditation and self-care can ease the symptoms. But, in severe situations, medicine may be needed. I have benefitted from medicine at different times on my journey. Fear and anxiety are a struggle that I continue to wrestle with before God. 

Let’s look at some truths from scripture that have helped to calm me and bring peace to my panic-stricken soul.

When I am fearing what someone else could do to me (physical enemies or spiritual enemies), I meditate on scripture such as “​​I am surrounded by trouble, but You protect me against my angry enemies. With Your own powerful arm You keep me safe” (Psalm 138:7). God’s arm is pretty powerful! The image here reminds me of a little child wrapped tightly in the safety of a parent’s embrace. The second verse is similar: “​​[So] we can feel sure and say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. People can do nothing to me’ ” (Hebrews 13:6).

When I am struggling with fear about health uncertainties, fretting over finances or children, or even getting anxious over the unknown of the future, God’s Word reminds me that He truly loves and cares for me and wants to handle my concerns:  “God cares for you, so turn all your worries over to Him” (I Peter 5:7).

When I feel my palms sweat, my pulse ramp up, and my chest tighten–I know a full-fledged panic attack is coming. If I am able, I will stop whatever I’m doing, breathe deeply, turn to those scriptures (usually on my phone) and meditate on their truths. Sometimes just reading them out loud helps to soothe my symptoms. Other times, when I can think more clearly, I pray those verses back in gratitude for their promises. Does it always help? Not every time, BUT God and His Word is the best place to start. He calms me down enough to seek other healthy ways to cope.

Bible study authors Pam Gillaspie and Jan Silvious write in their study, No Worries:  Learning to Trust our Sovereign God, “One of the healthiest things we can do is name our worry. ‘I am worried about _________.’ And it’s really good to linger there a moment to consider whether you can do something about it or not. One defining moment is when we realize we are powerless to change the thing we’re worried about. It is then we realize there is only one place to turn.”

This advice is golden. So often I worry about things outside my control, and in the process, waste unnecessary hours of my life (Matthew 6:27). May we all realize our powerlessness and turn to Jesus, our only place of hope.

Feel free to pray with me:

Heavenly Father, I confess that I continue to struggle with fear and anxiety. I recognize that giving in to fear is the opposite of trusting You. Thank you for Your forgiveness and patience with me as I learn to trust You more and more with every aspect of my life. Fill me with Holy Spirit boldness in the face of fear and anxiety and remind me and empower me to cast all of my cares on You, Jesus. Thank You for protecting me and caring deeply for me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture References:

Psalm 138:7 (CEV); Hebrews 13:6 (ERV); I Peter 5:7 (CEV); Matthew 6:27 (CEV)