Have you ever struggled with fear at night? My daughter, Laura, has recently been struggling with going to bed because her mind races to things that stir up fear in her. She came into my room and said, “Mom, I’m really tired, but every time I try to go to sleep my mind focuses on things that scare me.” When I asked what things, she brought up a movie she saw in school at the beginning of 8th grade. She does a really good job of monitoring the books and movies she exposes herself to, but when it is shown at school as part of the curriculum, there isn’t much she can do.
I asked her to look at Psalm 91 and see what it had to say about her. This is a psalm about the protection the Lord brings to His children. It is a source of peace when things in life get crazy and fearful. I was sharing with a friend about Laura’s struggle with sleep and asked her to pray for Laura. She talked with Laura on the phone the next day and shared how she overcame fear at night by clinging to Proverbs 3:24 “When you lie down, you will not be afraid; When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.” Laura began seeing a pattern as a source of help.
The Bible isn’t just a good book to read when you have nothing better to do. It isn’t just something that you read at church on Sundays or when you’re doing a Bible study. The Word is a source of help in all situations. 2 Timothy 3:16 says
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” It is our love letter from God. It is the primary way the Lord speaks to us today. So when you are having a hard time and want to know what God would direct you to do, pick up His love letter to you. Pour over the Word and find your ever present source of strength.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” [John 1:1, 14]