The Unshakeable Foundation of GodSýnishorn

The Unshakeable God Gives Me Courage

‘Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea’.

We will not fear.

This is a bold claim. A claim that is not always easy to make a reality in our lives, especially when we see chaos, uncertainty, danger and suffering in our world, in our families or in our neighbourhood.

Fear is a natural human reaction, and it is a response that can propel us into thoughtless action or stop us from moving at all. Fear for our safety, fear of consequences, fear of the unknown. Fear can be paralysing.

There are times when the things happening around us, situations in our own lives or the stories we see in the news can feel too much to handle. We can find ourselves asking:

Where is God in all of this?

Why does God not stop this from happening?

What will happen to me and the people I love?

There are times when we won’t understand what is going on around us. We can ask these questions but may never have the answers. There are times when being unafraid, brave and courageous just doesn’t feel easy. But the goodness of God does not depend upon our feelings.

These are the times when we must lean on others who support us, those who stand in solidarity with us. When we hear trusted voices, voices of those we know and love, declaring God’s goodness and faithfulness, we can find hope and strength in their confidence and love. When we surround ourselves with reminders of who God is and his promises to us, we can find the courage to keep trusting.

We don’t have to fear. Why? Because God is our refuge, our strength, our help in times of trouble. And he is with us.

Even when we have no answers to our questions and life makes no sense, God can still be trusted.

Are there things in your life right now, in the lives of people you love, or in the world that make it hard for you to say, ‘I will not fear’?

Who are those trusted voices declaring the goodness and promises of God in your life?

Can you be a trusted voice for someone else? / Who needs you to be a trusted voice for them right now?

A prayer for today:

Dear Lord,

When everything around me feels confusing and scary, thank you that you are the unshakeable God who knows me and understands how I feel. You are the one who gives me the courage to face my fears and who helps to keep me going, even when life seems hard. I rest in the knowledge that you are with me.

Amen.