Comforting Yourself in God in Difficult Times (Prayers and Declarations)
Fear has a way of appearing like truth. It can seem reasonable and logical, and many of us make decisions out of fear all the time—not realizing we’re listening to a voice that wants to hurt us and pull us away from our heavenly Father.
But fear doesn’t have to be our story.
If you’re dealing with fear today, here are a few reminders about your Father and His heart toward you.
Really consider each of these points. Meditate on them, and think about how they apply to you, in your specific situation:
The Lord isn’t going to let you go (John 10:28–29).
He is with you in dark places (Ps. 23:4).
If something seems “dark” in your circumstances, He can turn it into light (Ps. 18:28).
When the world says to run away in fear, He says you can rest with Him and just be quiet (Isa. 30:15–19).
God can take bad situations and turn them into good ones that save people’s lives (Gen. 45:5, 7).
He can take ANYTHING and work it out for your good (Rom. 8:28).
He isn’t afraid of powerful people in the world who are plotting evil (Ps. 2:1–4).
No matter how bad things get, He will still be exalted (Ps. 46:10).
He breathes life into the things you think are dead and without hope (Ez. 37:3–10).
Even when all is lost and you’re surrounded by death, He can open up the grave and lead you back into life (Ez. 37:12).
When you look to Him for help, so much joy will come and fill you that other people will be able to see it (Ps. 34:5).
He is a safe place for all your thoughts (Phil. 4:6–8).
He is tender and gentle with you (Isa. 40:11).
He is your refuge and shield (Ps. 119:114).
He is a warrior who knows how to defeat His enemies (Ex. 15:3; Ps. 110:1).
One day all your enemies—fear, hopelessness, shame, despair—will be your prey and you will utterly conquer them (Num. 14:9).
All your fear will dissolve when your thoughts rest on the Lord (Isa. 26:3).
Today’s prayer: Father God, please help me to connect with Your heart for me. Teach me who You are. I want all my thoughts to line up with Your truth. In the name of Jesus, amen.
Activity #1: Over the next week, read through the previous list several times. Switch up the pronouns and make them declarations over your life: “The Lord isn’t going to let me go! He’s with me in dark places! He’s a safe place for all my thoughts!”
Activity #2: Ask God to show you who He is. Pick a Psalm, read through it, and write down truth statements of your own based on that psalm and what it tells you about God. For example: “The Lord is my refuge. He is a safe place for me when I feel afraid. He cares for me. He wants to carry all my burdens.” Make your truth statements personal. “This is who God is for ME, in my life.”
When We Know Who God Is, We’re Brave
Those who know your name trust in you,
for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. (Ps. 9:10 NIV)
Rick Sizemore, the author of Needs and several other teaching books, says the following about knowing God:
Very often people beat themselves up because they’re having such a hard time trusting God. But according to Psalm 9:10, whenever we have trouble trusting Him, it’s because we don’t know His nature and character… When we do know the nature and character of our God, we will trust Him. He is so loving, powerful, kind, merciful, full of grace, righteous, just, and faithful that when we see Him and know Him as He is, we cannot help but want to trust Him.
Child of God, do you need to get to know your Father better? Do you need to remember what He’s told you in the past and what He’s already done in your life?
Spend time with Him and get to know Him. The next time you’re afraid, declare who He is, and don’t let fear speak to you. Get in the habit of reminding yourself of His nature and character. Listen to Him instead of fear, because His voice has the power to calm your heart and fill you with the strength you need.
Interested in reading more about dating, relationships, and your walk with God? Here are a few articles on related topics:
For more information on sex, marriage, and finding the person who is right for you, get a copy of Becoming the One by Salomé Roat. Click here to learn more. The book is also available in Spanish.