There are many things in life that will try to steal your peace. Just turn on the news or open a newspaper and you will hear of war, terrorism, violence, sickness, problems with the economy, and countless other situations that strike fear in the hearts of many. Unless you do something to counteract those kinds of reports, they can settle into your heart and mind, leading you to believe that your best days are over.

Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Christians are not exempt from facing trouble – Jesus said you are going to have it. However, because He already paid the price for your peace and joy, you can walk free from anxiety, fear, and worry.

God’s plan for each of us is that we would choose to be like David and proclaim as he did: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever” (Psalm 23:6). His goodness is with us now and forever; our best days are not behind us but are yet to come!

Our Fortress and Deliverer

Many of the Psalms paint pictures of God’s protective nature and His goodness toward His children. Here are some of my favorite Psalms:

“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies” (Psalm 18:2-3).

“You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance” (Psalm 32:7).

“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him will I trust’” (Psalm 91:1-2).

The psalmist knew that, while bad things happen to good people, God is still in control. He saves and delivers those who run to Him. Regardless of what is going on around them, God’s children can rest securely in His arms knowing that good will come to them in the calm and in the storm.

In the New Testament, this same principle comes across in the form of a promise found in Romans 8:28, which says, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Be assured that God is both willing and able to bring good out of any trouble or difficulty you will ever face!

Center on God’s Word

Whenever you feel an irrational fear, it is not coming from God. 2 Timothy 1:7 tells us, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” John 8:44 refers to Satan as “the father of lies.” Anytime you believe one of his lies, you will experience fear and the torment that accompanies fear (see 1 John 4:18). However, when you center everything in your life on God’s Word, you can be at peace and stop worrying.

In Proverbs 7:2-3 (TLB), God said, “Obey Me and live! Guard My Words as your most precious possession. Write them down, and also keep them deep within your heart.” When God’s Word is embedded in your heart, you will place more weight on what He says than on what the circumstances say. You will become more inclined to act out of obedience to God; and when you are obedient, God says you will live!

Scripture advises us to guard (to protect and preserve) God’s Words in our hearts. Why? Because Satan is not only a liar, he is also a thief! Jesus said, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).

Satan desires to steal even the Word of God that you’ve planted in your heart. The good news is this: when you protect and preserve the Word, treating it as your most precious possession, no one – not even the devil – can take it from you. And if Satan can’t steal God’s Word from your heart, he can’t gain access to anything else in your life!

Do Not Worry

God wants you to be assured and reassured from Romans 8:35-39 that nothing – not tribulation, distress, famine or lack, sickness, war or threats of death – can separate you from His powerful love. Not only that, but through Jesus, you are more than a conqueror over all the difficult times and troubles that may come your way!

Do not allow the devil to steal the truth of God’s Word from you. As long as you refuse to let anything separate you from God’s love, you will have peace! When difficult times come, you have a choice to make: you can either be filled with fearful negativity, expecting the worst – or you can expect that God will be with you, taking good care of you in every situation.

If Satan tries to make you believe that, if God really cared about you, He would have gotten you out of your situation by now, it’s time to pray according to Romans 8. Stand up and say with your own mouth, “Nothing in all creation can separate me from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus my Lord. God loves me, and I am more than a conqueror through Him!”

Jesus, in Matthew 6:25-26, tells us: “Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on.” Did you ever stop to consider that nearly every occurrence of the word “worry” in the Bible is preceded by the words “do not”? In the Old Testament and the New, the scriptures tell us, “Do not worry.” It is not just a suggestion; it is a command.

Instead of bringing only anxiety and worry, trials and fearful situations can show us how God is working in us and for us. Tough times may force you to confront fears or difficult situations, but they also so clearly show the goodness and faithfulness of our Father. Philippians 4:19 assures us that He will meet all of our needs. There is no better time to praise Him for always keeping His promises.

In Matthew 6:27 (NIV), Jesus asks, “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” Then, in verse 34 (TLB), He concludes His teaching about worry, saying, “So don’t be anxious about tomorrow. God will take care of your tomorrow too. Live one day at a time.” We need to stand on the goodness of God and live today!

Speak Out

The next time fear or anxiety tries to overtake you, be like David. Grasp hold of the promises of our faithful God and proclaim aloud, “When I am afraid, I will put my confidence in God. Yes, I will trust the promises of God. And since I am trusting Him, what can mere man do to me?” (Psalm 56:3-4 TLB).

Let His goodness be on your lips always – especially in the tough times. Sharing and proclaiming the promises and faithfulness of God is how we battle the fear and worry that can creep in.

Choose now not to bow your knee to fear. Rest assured that every promise in the Bible represents God’s heart and plan for you. For every situation you will ever face, God has already prepared a solution. Jesus overcame the world and made the way for you to overcome, too!

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Let me ask you this: where do you place your hope? Do you place it in your own strength and ability to fix things? Or do you place it in the One who promises you eternal life? Proverbs 23:18 (TLB) declares, “…for surely you have a wonderful future ahead of you. There is hope for you yet!” You will not be disappointed when you place your hope in God.

If something has been stealing your peace, it is time to commit it to the Lord. Why not take a minute right now to pray?

Father, thank you that Your Word says that when I am afraid, I can put my confidence in You. I reject fear and every lie of the enemy, and I accept Your promises as truth. I place my life in Your strong and mighty hands and choose to trust You for my salvation, deliverance, and security. Thank you that, because You are in control, good will come. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Indeed, God is in control. Good will come!