Fear: Don’t Trust Your Feelings - June 11

Read Psalm 56:3-4

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?

Reflect

What worries or fears are you wrestling with right now? How are you managing those emotions?

Maybe you can relate: While wrestling with a situation, in you head, you know that God is worthy of your complete trust. But your feelings are all over the place. One moment you’re at peace with whatever happens because God is in control. The next moment, you’re weighed down with what-ifs again and the heavy burden of making big decisions. It really is an emotional rollercoaster sometimes.

Today’s verses come from Psalm 56, a psalm attributed to David when he fled from King Saul to Gath. In verses 1 and 2, David wrote: “Be gracious to me, O God, for man tramples me; all day long an attacker oppresses me; my enemies trample on me all day long for many attack me proudly.”

David was literally running for his life. Saul, the first king of Israel, wanted him dead. So, David fled from Saul to Gath only to wind up fearing Achish, the king of Gath, as well (1 Samuel 19-21). Everywhere he turned, he found a new reason to be afraid. He was under constant threat.

And yet, David knew that the Lord had promised he would be the next king of Israel. In fact, he had already been anointed by the prophet Samuel (1 Samuel 16). He had good reason to be afraid, that’s for sure. But he had an even better reason to choose to trust God regardless of his circumstances.

Psalm 56 offers us a glimpse into David’s heart during this terrifying time of his life and we can learn something from him about what to do when we are afraid. The situations we face today pale in comparison to what David face while running for his life.

But, like David, our feelings of fear and anxiety are very real. Like David, God has made promises that pertain to us that are for His glory and our good. And like David, we have a choice to make. What are you going to focus on? Who are you going to trust? Are you going to trust your own fickle feelings that are constantly changing with my circumstances? Or are you going to put your trust in God?

The next time your emotions aren’t on board with what you know to be true, give yourself continual reminders of the truth and make a list so that you can focus on those facts instead of focusing on my feelings.

This is what is true: God loves you. He knows what is best you. He has a plan for your life. He already knows absolutely everything that your future holds. And even if the absolute worst case scenario occurs, your future is still secure in Christ. Your salvation is sure and nothing can take that away from you.

Respond

Lord, my trust is in You. And yet, some days, my emotions get the best of me and I am overwhelmed with fear and anxiety. In those moments, remind me that my feelings are not facts. Help me focus on You and what is true. “I believe, help my unbelief” (Mark 9:24). Amen.

Reveal

Do you know someone who is struggling with fear or anxiety? Offer them encouragement today by validating their feelings but also reminding them that feelings are not necessary facts. Help them create a list of what they know to be true, even if they don’t feel it right now.