Were you ever ‘blown out of the water’ by unwelcome news?  Blindsided by something unexpected?  Where do you turn in the moments and days following when your brain works overtime conjuring “what if”s?  When your last thought before sleep and first thought upon awakening is sad and fearful how do you redirect?  When you feel helpless where do you go for strength? When you feel afraid where do you run?   Here are some of my favorite promises of God’s help.

Our Tower of protection when we’re attacked.  Life is often hard, but we have a refuge to run to.

“The name of the Lord is a fortified tower;
the righteous run to it and are safe.”  Proverbs 18:10
“For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe.”  Psalm 61:3

Our Anchor in our roaring sea of fear.  If we trust in God’s promises, we won’t be carried away by our fear.  We’ll be steady and hopeful.  Time reading and believing God’s promises in the Bible is time well spent.

“we who have fled to him [Jesus] for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope [of his promises] that lies before us.  This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.”  Hebrews 6: 18-19

Our Light in the darkness. Sometimes it just feels like the darkness is closing in, but we have the light of life.  The darkness can’t overcome that Light.

“In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”  John 1:4-5

“the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light. And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow, a light has shined.”  Matthew 4:16 Jesus fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 9:1-2 

“I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”  John 8:12

Our Shade in the scorching heat of trials.  Sometimes our troubles feel cold and dark as the anticipation of something dreaded casts a shadow over us.  But other times when we’re in the heat of the battle, our trials feel like they will burn us up.

“The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.”  Psalm 121:5

Our safe Refuge under his wings from life’s troubles.  Sometimes we just need a mother hen to shield us from the world.

“How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me.”  Jesus in Mathew 23:37

Our faithful Companion.  We are not alone.  Even introverts need a person to lean on when the going gets tough (and to share with when things are bright). 

“All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).”  Matthew 1:22-23 talking about the birth of Jesus and quoting Isaiah 7:14

    “And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”  Jesus in Matthew 28:20

Our Comfort in pain. This verse was a favorite of mine when I was sixteen as I dealt with my mother’s death.

“All praise to God, the Father our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort.”  2 Corinthians 1:3

Our Peace in the storm of emotions.  Sometimes we’re up and sometimes we’re down.  We can call on the Prince of Peace in our panic, and he will rescue us.

“Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”
 Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm.”  Matthew 8:26

Our Completer.  Nothing is random.  There is a plan and God will bring it to a glorious conclusion.  Jesus has already completely saved us from judgment.  Someday he will fix all things and we will enjoy our new lives in a new world.

“…he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” Jesus on the cross in John 19:30

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.
And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!  It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty, I will give freely from the springs of the water of life.   All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.”  Revelation 21:4-7

God is our:
Tower, Anchor, Light, Shade, Mother hen, Companion, Comfort, Prince of Peace, Completer

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