By Grace Fox
Our three children were preschoolers when my husband’s role at work shifted and required him to travel overseas on a regular basis.
I dreaded his absence especially at nighttime because the dark terrified me. A couple of years prior, someone had broken into our home and stolen a few valuables. The perpetrator was never caught, and that left me feeling vulnerable.
Every time my husband was gone, I imagined the robber watching our house and planning a second strike while I slept.
Afraid of being victimized again, I armed myself by keeping my bedside lamp on all night. I reasoned that, if the bad guy broke in, the light would allow me to see his face and identify him later in a police lineup.
Trouble was, the light kept me awake, and lack of sleep turned me into an exhausted, grouchy mom.
A Lamp, a Prayer and a Promise
One bedtime, in desperation, I cried to God for help, and He brought Psalm 127:1 to mind: “Unless the LORD protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good.”
The power of God’s truth produced the breakthrough I needed. In that moment, I realized how focusing on my fears had strengthened their choke hold on my life, and I chose to do things differently.
“Help me, God,” I prayed. “Post Your angels at both doors and every corner of my house while I rest. Good night.” An indescribable peace washed over me as I turned off the lamp and fell asleep.
Fear Has Many Faces
The fear of victimization fell away that night and has never returned, for which I am grateful, but I have wrestled with other fears since then: the fear for my kids’ and grandkids’ well-being, the fear for my husband’s health when he underwent cancer treatment, the fear of inadequacy in fulfilling ministry-related commitments, and the fear of an unknown future in this wacky world in which we live.
Rather than focusing on the what-ifs and allowing fear to become a stronghold again, I meditate on God’s truth and ask Him for help. Inevitably, my perspective changes and peace floods my mind.
Refocusing on Peace
Focusing on who God is as manifest through His Hebrew names has been especially helpful.
Here are three of my favorites:
1. Immanuel—“God with us”
When facing frightening circumstances, I recall biblical promises that assure me of God’s presence (Joshua 1:9; Matthew 28:20; John 14:16). Those promises are plentiful, so be encouraged:
You are not alone when you walk through fire, flood, and dark valleys. The all-powerful God is with you.
Cling to this truth, and peace that passes understanding will override anxiety.
2. El Roi—“the God who sees me”
As He saw and met Hagar in the wilderness when she was alone and afraid, so El Roi sees us in our distress. (Genesis 16:7–13) This name also implies understanding and care, like a shepherd cares for his sheep.
No matter our situation, we can rest assured that God sees every detail and cares about our well-being.
We can trust Him to meet us at our deepest point of need.
3. El Shaddai—“God Almighty”
This name suggests that God is all-powerful. Because of who He is, we can trust Him to meet every need we will ever know. When we need wisdom, He supplies. When we need guidance, He supplies. When we need strength, He supplies.
His sufficiency is infinite, and so is His love for us. Learning to live from this truth helps make it possible for us to experience His gift of peace.
Your Peace Is Just One Truth Away
No matter what we face, let’s remember the power of God’s truth to overcome our fears. Let’s hold tight to it and let it lead us to a place of inner peace.
Grace Fox is a career missionary and award-winning author of 15 books including Names of God: Knowing Peace. She’s a Bible teacher and writes for “First 5” (Proverbs 31 Ministries).
