Comforted by GodSample

Loved and Not Alone

When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.

Psalm 94:19

On those challenging days when my heart is heavy and the tears are streaming down my face, I want nothing more than to crawl back into the safety of my bed and throw the covers over my head. I grow tired of the palpitations of my heart beating like a steel drum. Anxiety and fear have become the soul sisters I never knew I had. One day during my quiet time the Holy Spirit brought to mind the story of three Hebrew boys—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Because they wouldn’t bow to the king’s image, King Nebuchadnezzar had them thrown into the fiery furnace. He even had the guards heat it up seven times hotter! Instead of being anxiety-ridden and wringing their hands, what did they do? They began praising God. They put all their trust and hope in their heavenly Father, knowing that no matter what, God would protect and rescue them. Can you imagine the king’s surprise when he peeked in and saw four figures walking around unharmed among the flames? Most surprising of all, the fourth figure looked just like the Son of God. Imagine the faith and courage it must have taken for the three friends to even walk into the furnace. When life seems to be too much to bear and our instinct is to run in the other direction, we must remember there is Another in the fire with us. His name is Jesus, and He will never leave us.

“I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears.”

Psalm 34:4

Father, on those days when I feel overwhelmed by all that is facing me, help me to remember that You are always walking beside me, ready to fight my battles and take me through the hard places.