Psalm 46

During my battle with fear and anxiety, one of the ways I learned how to fight back was by pouring over God's Word, specifically the book of Psalms. There would be days when I would literally spend hours reading through them, or repeating the promise of one psalm over and over. Psalm 46 was one of those that became a "go to" for me in times of panic.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though the waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. Nations are in an uproar, kingdoms fall; He lifts His voice, the earth melts. The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Come and see the works of the LORD, the desolations He has brought on the earth. He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; He breaks the bow and shatters the spear, He burns the shields with fire. Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. {Psalm 46 NIV} 

There were definitely days when it felt like the earth was giving way beneath my feet, and the waters were rising over my head, but then the reminder to "be still" and the knowledge that I could cling to - I could KNOW that He was God. I would not fall. Jesus was there. There were moments when I would repeatedly whisper to myself, "I KNOW that the LORD is God, I KNOW that the LORD is God...".

Although it's been a long time since my last attack, I have continued to rely on the Psalms as we have walked through the fire of our adoption. Taking on five kids between the ages of 4-12 was no picnic, and that first year was filled with anger and tears, crying out to God for His help, begging Him not to let me sink in self-pity, looking back, much like the Israelites longing for the "better" days of Egyptian slavery. Year two was definitely better than year one, and as we're working on year three, the difference is striking. God has done so much in the lives of the children He has placed in our care, and I can only sit back in awe and look forward with anticipation of all that He will do with them.

Last week, the Hubs sent me an email with a YouTube link and the comment, "This is good stuff." I saw it come into my inbox earlier in the day, but didn't have time to click through and watch at the time. That evening, after the school pick up, homework help, rush of dinner, and trek to Awana to drop them all off, I pulled in behind our house and knew I had a few minutes before the Hubs arrived with our Awana Date Night Takeout. I plugged my phone into the car's audio system and clicked the link to the video you see below. Within seconds of it starting, I felt my eyes welling up with tears and my heart was overwhelmed with awe for our God. 

Worship is very personal, and people are led to that quiet place in different ways, but I wanted to share this with you in the hopes that it will be an encouragement for the person who needs to see it today. May you be reminded that the Mighty One of Israel is walking by your side. Anxiety can take a hike. The Lord of Hosts is with us, leading us in the fire.