Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

A Daily Devotional by Kenton Cheek

15 April 2024

Reading From Psalm 56, 120, 140-142

“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
In God, whose word I praise—
in God I trust and am not afraid.
    What can mere mortals do to me?”

–Psalm 56:3-4

     There are countless causes of fear and anxiety.  Our loving Heavenly Father provides a remedy.  Himself.  Some people bristle at being given a simple, spiritual solution to calm their fears.  When we dare to believe in God, that point of contact begins a wild adventure of faith.  Does it mean I will never struggle with fear and anxiety?  No.  What it does mean is that no matter what, I don’t have to walk through those struggles alone.  I have a connection with God.  He loves me and wants to show me I can trust Him.  He has proven this over and over again not only in my life, but with the testimonies of His children throughout all time and His Word is true. 

     One serious concern I have is that the majority of those who say that a relationship with God does not help with fear and anxiety, is that if they were honest with themselves and with God, they would admit that they do not follow through with doing what He has prescribed.  He is our Great Physician and He has laid out so many healthy patterns of behavior in the Scriptures that greatly help His children cope and heal.  For this post, I would like to limit our focus to this passage.

     When I am afraid, I need to be reminded to look to God with faith and trust.  Even when my circumstances are horrible, tragic, or just less than ideal, it doesn’t change who God is and the truth of what He has told me via His Word.  “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.”  This is a conscious decision, which can be super difficult when we are trapped in a web of fear.  We need each other to remind us of His promises and who we are in Him.  We need to be in a healthy, loving faith community where brothers and sisters come alongside us and encourage us.  When you’re able, be that source of light for someone else and hopefully they will do it for you when you’re down.

     Worship breaks through fear and anxiety.  The decision to praise God even in the midst of misery is powerful.  Call upon His Name!  I find this works best when I declare His praises out loud.  Find a quiet place and open your mouth.  Fear and anxiety don’t change the fact that God is worthy of our worship and worship opens a conduit for Him to speak to our hearts and minister to us.  When we lift Him up in praise, He lifts our spirits.  “In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid.”

     Much of our fear and anxiety has to do with our preoccupation with how others see us.  This is unhealthy, but comes naturally to humans.  The Bible is filled with exhortations for us to focus on what God says about us.  God loves you and wants nothing but good things for you and your friends and family.  These wonderful promises of grace and mercy and provision are enjoyed through choosing to believe in Him and what He has said above anything else and anyone else. 

     God has blessed us with the wisdom and knowledge of counselors and doctors.  Medication can aid the body our Creator has designed to function properly.  Doctors and medication and counseling can all be of assistance in treating fear and anxiety, but at the end of the day, trusting God and believing His promises must be part of the healing process.  Otherwise, we will never be made happy and whole.

“Lord, fear and anxiety are complex problems that plague Your children.  I pray that You will bring peace and calm to our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.  In those dark moments and seasons, bring back to remembrance the light of Your truths and the warmth of Your love.  Bring healing and hope to those brothers and sisters who are struggling.  Give us the strength and courage we need to follow through with the healthy behaviors You’ve laid out for us in Your powerful Word.  Your love is life-changing.  Thank You Jesus!”

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? –Romans 8:31

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. –Matthew 10:28

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. –I John 4:18