Be Safe: Finding Safety Through Faith in Jesus

I’ve been battling fear lately. More so than usual. Is this part of getting older? I often feel unsafe for various reasons, and I’ve been asking Jesus to set me free from my fears.

“Do not fear!” God says in his Word, over and over again. So I know he will answer my prayer. It’s his will for me to not live in fear.

During my morning coffee with Jesus, and along with my other usual Bible reading, I’ll often read only one verse a day from Proverbs. I like to camp on the verse for a few minutes and ask God to help me understand.

The other day, I read:

“The name of the Lord is a strong tower.
A righteous person runs to it and is safe.”

Proverbs 18:10 GW

Oh, yes, Lord, of course I believe you are my safe place. Thanks for the reminder, and help me to run to you when I’m afraid.

The next day, I read:

“A rich person’s wealth is his strong city
and is like a high wall in his imagination.”

Proverbs 18:11 GW

Oof. That one hit a nerve.

Money fears. When there’s surplus in the bank account, life feels more safe, doesn’t it? So, when I see our bank balance drop, my “high wall” crumbles and I panic.

Have you ever noticed that your greatest strengths can become your greatest weaknesses and fears?

I strongly believe in the importance of saving and making wise financial choices. And I’m pretty decent at budgeting. I want to be smart about money. Carelessness in this area as not a form of “trusting God to provide.” But trusting the bank balance more than I trust God’s provision is rather ironic, isn’t it? Who is the author and provider of every good thing in our lives? God is. Who gives me breath and sustains my life so that I can go to work and earn a paycheck? God does.

My bank account is an illusion of safety. Jesus is my safe place.

It was time for a confession: Okay, Jesus. I confess I have been clinging to, and have been worried about, money. Fear. Fear of being “poor” again, even though you’ve provided for us generously during every rough patch. Your word says that you are my safe place, not our bank account. Your word says that all who call on the name of the Lord will be saved. So I’m running to you again. Save me and set me free from all my fears. Amen.

What illusion of safety do you run to for cover when you feel unsafe? Whatever our fears are this week, let’s run to Jesus and be truly safe.

With love,