“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV)
Can other people see my lip quivering? Should I pop into the bathroom and look?
My first day back to school equaled “back to anxiety.” I had sensed that God wanted me to transfer from a Christian school to a public school so I could be a light for Him there. So I did … and I was terrified.
Aren’t you glad sometimes we don’t know how difficult obeying God will be? Switching schools was much harder than I anticipated. I felt invisible; insecurity was trying to take root. Spaces where I belonged seemed nonexistent.
Lonely again, I listened to sad music in my dark bedroom. Rejection ruminated in my heart. Yet even in that difficult moment, I sensed Father God providing the comfort I needed.
He was with me.
Scripture reassured me that even though I felt alone, I wasn’t: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6).
While it was difficult, I hadn’t made the wrong move. Sometimes following God's way, though it is the best way, is also the hard way. As Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33, NIV).
What God provided in my hard place was peace. He didn’t fix my loneliness right away. I didn’t suddenly have a friend group or someone who called me. I did, however, experience His peaceful presence with me.
God’s peace can envelop you, too, in the dark night of your bedroom or under the bright lights of school halls, work cubicles, or your busy kitchen. When you follow Jesus, no matter where you are, He is with you, for you, and in you.
Reminding myself that I was not alone and meditating on scriptures gave me the confidence to keep going. I learned to prayerfully personalize Bible verses where God is speaking directly to or about His people by putting my name in them, which helped me write them on my mind. Scripture empowered me to overcome the anxiety that wanted to take over my heart.
Many years later, I still practice intentionally personalizing Scripture. You can too! Turning our thoughts to God’s thoughts reminds us:
God is always with us (Joshua 1:9).
God fights for us and is trustworthy (Deuteronomy 1:30).
God is our Helper (Psalm 10:14).
God upholds and empowers us in hard situations (Isaiah 41:10).
God guides us (Psalm 139:10).
God picks us up, and we stand on His strength (Psalm 28:7).
Father, thank You that when I feel insecure, You are my security. I stand because of You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Season 10 of Therapy & Theology is here! Lysa TerKeurst, Jim Cress, and Dr. Joel Muddamalle are back with honest, hope-filled conversations about surviving what you never saw coming. Every episode in this season tackles a specific scenario you’re facing — with biblical Truth and practical steps to help you keep going. Episode 1 is live now, so jump right in! Press play here.
When anxiety tries to take over our minds, guided prayers can help us focus our thoughts on the Lord. Lynn Cowell and Michelle Nietert have created 10 free audio prayers focusing on Father God’s peace, provision, protection, presence, and healing. Download them here.
Also, find out more about Lynn Cowell and Michelle Nietert’s devotional Strong and Secure: 100 Devotions for Young Women on Lynn’s website!
Psalm 27:5, “For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock” (NIV).
Psalm 18:16-17, “He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me” (NIV).
How does it encourage you to read these verses as God’s Word to you personally? Replace the word “me” with your name, and note one of these verses in your phone or write it down where you can look at it throughout the day.
Read 1 John 4:4. How can this verse strengthen you for the struggle you are currently facing? Share in the comments below.
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