When Joy Escapes Me By Nina SmitSample

Be still and know . . .

When the world becomes too stressful for me personally, such as when I receive bad news or when all the things that make me tense or anxious happen simultaneously, I page through to Psalm 46:10–11. It is my personal mantra against stress and worry! As I read it, I can physically feel the fear leaving my body and God’s peace taking possession of me. God is with me, and He is almighty—He always remains a sanctuary where I can take refuge in times of danger. Through stressful times, He wants to be a refuge for me.

You, too, can be certain that God is ready to help whenever you might need Him. All you need to do is focus on Him and think back on all the times in the past when He came to your assistance. When you feel powerless, His power is at your disposal. He is always there for you. You have no need to be afraid, because you can rely on Him in every situation and danger.

Commit Psalm 46:10–11 to heart. Internalize the reality of God’s protection so firmly in your mind that it becomes a part of you. When you are afraid and in doubt (and this will happen, because, remember, you are only human!), commence the whole process again from the start: Be still and know that God, the Almighty, is with you. He will never leave you to cope with your problems on your own (see Deuteronomy 31:3, Joshua 1:5 and Hebrews 13:5–6). He will come to your rescue every time!

Prayer

Father, thank You for the assurance that I need never be afraid, because I know for sure that You are with me and that You will always protect and support me when I am in need. I want to be quiet before You and burn this fact into my mind for good, so that I’ll never forget it again. Amen.