I went to bed, once again, with a heavy heart for the families of the victims of yesterday’s senseless shooting. I woke up in the middle of the night thinking and praying and hoping for a better world for all of us to live in. And it seems, that more bad news may be to come this Friday morning. I think we all have heavy hearts and truth be known, a mountain of fears.

Fear is paralyzing. It can grab hold of your head and your heart in a way that just rips the life out of you. And, guess what, fear is from the enemy.

If I am not careful, with all the sorrow and sadness and pain in this world, the enemy will continue to win this battle. And, it is a crucial one. The battle for my mind. The one where he paralyzes all of those who are believers with fear in hopes that we can’t even move our lips to pray.

So there. I said it. When we are so overwrought with fear, the enemy wins. And, yes, I am preaching to myself today. Fear has long been a struggle for me.

My heart aches over the horrible acts that have happened all over our world. My heart aches for this world and its leaders and their countless choices to move further and further from the Almighty. And, yes, my heart aches for the next generation. And, the one after that and all they may face. As hard as my heart aches, I need His word and His promises to sustain me in these times. I need His ear to hear my cries on behalf of all of the angst and ache in our world. I need His hand to uphold me and mine to make it through another day and the day after that and for eternity.

Yes, on a Friday like today, we just need Him.

So for those of you, like me, with a heavy heart these days, here is some truth for your journey. I plan to meditate on it day after day until deep down in my being I can trust Him more.

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalms 34:18 That is truth, sweet friends. And, yes, many of our hearts are broken today, but He is close.

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear…” Psalms 46:1,2. No, we will NOT fear.

“So do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10. Here it is…he says He will hold us up in His righteous hand.

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear…” I John 4:18. And, yes, He is love and if we abide in Him, His love drives out all that fear. Thank goodness!

“when I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man to do me.” Psalms 56:3,4. Yes, we can trust Him. He is faithful and greater than any other.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33″ Yes, He has already overcome this world and all its troubles.

Sweet friends, these are just a few truths from His word. There are so many more on fear and worry and anxiety and all the things we are feeling day in and day out. He wants us to know it deep down in our soul. To recall it when our hearts are overwhelmed. To share it when we encounter others who just need truth for the journey.

This Friday, join me in believing His truth. In praying for yesterday’s victims, and all the victims of evil in the world. And, yes, in meditating on His promises.

I am certain that His righteous right hand is where we all long to be. And, yes, that His perfect love can drive out all our fears.