The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? (Ps. 27:1–2)
PICTURE YOURSELF WALKING through a tunnel late at night. It is so dark that you can barely see your hands stretched out before you. Then you detect a street lamp casting a soft glow, so you edge toward it. Every sound becomes magnified as you venture forward. Do you hear footsteps other than your own, or is that your heart pounding in your ears?
Fear can become gripping. It clings like a leech. It strangles our faith and distorts our perception of what is real. I have faced many fearful situations. Perhaps you have as well. Fear can be debilitating, especially the residual fear that lingers, making you gasp at each little remembrance. Untreated, it can turn into a mental disorder.
The opening verses of Psalm 27 seem simple, but to any who have suffered from anxiety, these verses can be a powerful weapon. For years whenever fear clutched my breath I would speak these verses and dispel the anxiety before it built strength. As a believer in the resurrection power of Jesus, who conquered death and saved me from eternal damnation, every bump and pothole along this earthly path now pales in comparison to His victory. He is my stronghold, my light, and my saving force. I cling to that fact, and I can breathe through whatever life doles out.
Banish fear by trusting in Jesus’ saving power.
