for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7

I recently received a call from a friend in California.

Although not a native of that state, my friend has already experienced a number of earthquakes. She doesn't like them, but she isn't overly concerned when the dishes start to rattle and the pictures hang askew.

Her daughter, on the other hand, has "earthquake jitters." According to my friend, her daughter is afraid to go to sleep, and she wakes up every time the bed moves. That’s when the little girl’s eyes get huge, and her hands start to shake.

I felt sorry for that little girl. The idea of having things unexpectedly happen to you--things over which you've got no control and from which there's no escape--can be pretty frightening.

All of us have, to a larger or lesser degree experienced those times of helplessness. They may come in a crowd or when we’re alone; but they come. No matter how much we are loved by other people, no matter how much they care about us, there are some circumstances which are beyond human help.

Especially when those times come, we need to turn to the Lord. Only He has the strength and love to give us peace in our problems. The knowledge that we are in His hands can help put our fears to rest.

Take some time today to think of those you know who are afraid. Say a prayer for them. Give them some tender, loving care, and above all, place them into the hands of God who can help them.


From a devotion originally written for "By the Way"



THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, only You have the strength and love that can give me peace. Help me to remember I am in Your hands. Today, I lift up and place in Your hands (INSERT NAME), who is struggling with fear. Help me to share Your peace with them. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Judges 16-18    Luke 15:11-32

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