Moving Through FearSmakprov

The Lord Shines in My Life 

My self-doubt, anxiety, fear, and insecurity continue to get in my way. When this happens, instead of working out my salvation with fear and trembling, I avoid the work by circumventing the fear and trembling. It’s not fruitful. I don’t feel good about such a choice. It isn’t a movement that I’m grateful for or proud of. 

Psalm 27 often helps me to reframe a fearful moment. The first lines have become something of a mantra for me as I deal daily with my fears. 

The Lord is my light and my salvation—

whom shall I fear? 

The Lord is the stronghold of my life—

of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1 NIV) 

In the place where David feels fearful, he remembers God with him. He remembers just who this God is. When David feels surrounded by darkness, he remembers God is his light. When he feels surrounded by threats, he remembers God is present to save him. When he feels overwhelmed by danger, he remembers that God is a safe place for him to be. 

This is the challenge and the opportunity when I feel afraid. I’ve sometimes had the habit of letting my fear be the biggest thing on my horizon. I can let it spread until it is all I see and feel. And when that happens, I find myself paralyzed or seeking to escape and hide. David doesn’t do this. In the face of his fears. David reminds himself of who God is with him. 

Does this sound simplistic? I don’t think David recalls ideas about God. David remembers, even realizes, the presence of God near. Sometimes this happens for me in a moment of silence. As I’m quiet, the fear looms. It threatens. It seeks to intimidate. But I can turn my attention in the stillness to the very real presence of God in that very place. I am not alone with my fears. I have a powerful and loving Companion in fearful places. When I remember God with me, I somehow slow down inside. My fears begin to fade. My anxieties grow quiet. The hurry of my soul diminishes. 

Lord, in the presence of everything and everyone that threatens me today, shine in the darkness, save me from all harm, protect me from every threat. I’m safe in your presence. Amen.