135

Psalm 46:2-3 (New King James Version)

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah."

Don't be afraid. It's hard to watch the news and see the world spinning out of control in a definite downward spiral. The earth herself is getting older and more broken, like an elderly and somewhat abused lady who seems to be naturally (or maybe unnaturally) breaking down and dying. And again, here, the promises of God bring us back and center us within His truth when the natural disasters we face in the world grip our hearts with fear and hopelessness. Metaphorically and literally, the promise is not that we would escape the natural progression of the earth or the disasters that life sometimes hits us with. The command is to not fear. In fact it's more like a statement: "therefore we will not fear." The promise is that He will be with us to protect us amidst it all: "a very present help in trouble." Through some seasons of life, God won't pluck you out of the earthquakes or the storms, He will simply put Himself right there in the middle of it with you, and He will help you get through it: emotionally, physically, spiritually and mentally. You may be going through some stuff right now, but you are not alone.

He promises to help you, and He commands you to not be afraid. I know it's hard to not be scared. Being scared is such an easy thing to do in the day to day life of trying to stay healthy, trying to stay married, trying to let go of pain and stress, trying to make enough money to enjoy life, trying to be a good friend to people and trying to remember to hold the hand of Jesus amidst it all.