With the recent events in the Middle East and the day of rage declared by Hammas, not to mention the ongoing war in Ukraine, many are wrestling with fear and anxiety. We wonder, “What kind of world are we living in? What will be the long-term impact of these wars? How will they impact our kids and grandkids?” 

In Matthew 24, Jesus warned us that as we approached the end times, we would hear of wars, rumors of wars, earthquakes, and other natural disasters. How do we hold our hearts steady in these uncertain times? How do we nurture strong faith and steady courage? Psalm 46 is a great place to go to nurture our souls in these uncertain days.

Praying Through Psalm 46  

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). Circle that phrase, “Ever-present.” Friend, He is with you 24/7. He will never leave you nor forsake you. His presence surrounds you continually and, as my friend Susie Larson writes, “His presence is closer than your next breath.” Learn to cultivate a continual awareness of God’s presence. When you feel anxious or fearful, pray Lord, thank You for being my refuge and strength. Thank You that You are always present and available to hear the cries of my heart. 

“Therefore we will not fear, though the earth gives way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea” (Psalm 46:2). With the recent earthquake in Turkey, we are reminded that even when mountains crumble, we don’t have to be governed by fear. There is peace in God’s presence. Sometimes it feels hard to access that peace, but it is possible. When it feels like the mountains are shaking, pray, God, thank You that I don’t have to be terrified. You are with me even now. Thank You, that You will sustain me even through challenging events. Help me today, to remember to cultivate an awareness of your presence which is the holy place. I praise You, that You are never far from me.

“Nations are in an uproar, kingdoms fall; He lifts his voice, the earth melts… He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth” (Psalm 46:6, 9). Nations are certainly in an uproar. Yet, the Psalmist gives us a beautiful picture of God lifting His voice and everything ceasing. Lord Jesus, I praise You for Your voice. Help me to lean in and listen today. With all the noise coming from the media, it’s easy to give in to fear, worry, and anxiety. Help me instead to trust Your voice which speaks peace and calm.

“Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in all the earth” (Psalm 46:10). Remember, God is victorious. He wins! Ultimately, He will be exalted in all the nations of the earth. Create the space to be still and reflect on His victorious nature. Quiet your heart and allow Him to calm your soul. He hasn’t abandoned His throne and He hasn’t left you. Rest in this blessed assurance. Holy One, quiet my heart and soul today. Help me to be still to simply enjoy your presence. I praise You that You will be exalted in every nation on earth and in the heavens. 

Please pray. I am looking for those who will join me by praying for me as I finish writing Cultivating Deeper Connections In a Lonely World. This book is due to Moody on December 1 and will be released in 2024. I’m looking for prayer partners who will pray faithfully as I finish writing. If you are willing to pray, would you contact me? Thank you so much!

If you don’t have a copy of Psalms for the Anxious Heart, this short devotional is a great resource for these uncertain days. I originally wrote it during COVID, but the devotional is very applicable to these times.

This week on The Connected Mom Podcast, our guest is Pam Farrel and We’re talking about the wisdom we need in our parenting journey! You can tune in on any podcast app.