When important plans go awry, or a perfect stranger wrongs us and ruins our day without reason, our view of the world gets a bit darker. Sometimes all it takes is a disappointing turn of events to shake our confidence and undermine the trust we had built up in God. We feel out of control and insecure in God’s protection when He allows biting things to happen. All our old familiar fears and anxieties creep back in our minds to eat away at our peace and terrorize us once again. As our confidence dwindles, doubts and worries swirl wildly in our mind forming a dark cloud that overshadows our day. The deeper our mind dives into the murky depths of fear, the smaller we feel and the more fatalistic we become. The only thing that can pull us up for air as we drown in our own thoughts is the outstretched hand of our Father. But first we must be willing to stop struggling and reach out for His hand. Once we do this, our peace begins to return and the breath of His life can fill ours lungs. Only in submission, with our thoughts occupied with prayer and our mouths filled with thankful words, can He gently refocus us on the reality of our situation. On our own we are helpless and vulnerable, but with confidence in the Lord we have a solid reason for feeling safe and assured. He carefully prepares our path before we even set foot upon it, clearing away dangerous obstacles and fighting our battles for us along the way. Like a parent leading a beloved and aimless child, He sticks closely beside us, guarding us carefully and hovering to protect us. Though our path may still be steep and the journey difficult, He does not want us to be timid or afraid. We need only keep our eyes on Him, holding His hand firmly and obeying Him faithfully along the way, resisting the childish compulsion to get distracted and wander off the best path He so wisely and lovingly chose. As we concentrate on submitting to Him and trusting His plan, we allow Him to beat down our fears. Pushing ourselves to have confidence in Him, we are lifted up and bathed in His light and His love.

“You shall not fear them, for it is the Lord your God who fights for you.” Deuteronomy 3:22

“But Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’” Matthew 19:26

“It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8

“For the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.” Proverbs 3:26

“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:6-7