“Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”  Isaiah 41:10 (NASB)

“For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock.  Psalm 27:5 (ESV)

Even though the specifics may vary for each of our situations, we are all going through something very similar right now.  Our reaction to the current world events has most likely gone through a gradual shift, as we take in and process something that we have never experienced before.  As Christians, we know the healthy response—remain calm, trust, pray, and help others.  Yet, at times we struggle to keep afloat of the daily bombardment of news, statistics, and “sheltering” ourselves from harm’s way.

The truth is, we need God’s help.  Our human efforts are likely to fall short of providing us with the sense of peace, safety, connection, and basic control over our own lives that is an indicator of emotional health and well-being.  Those with a tendency towards worry, anxiety, depression, or isolation are being hit the hardest right now.

In times like these, we need a Savior and we need the peace of knowing that God is still actively involved in our lives.  In Isaiah, we are reminded that He is with us, He is our God, He will strengthen and help us, and He will hold us up with His holy right hand.  The psalmist tells us that God will hide us in His shelter, conceal us under the cover of His tent, and lift us high upon a rock.  These are all actions—God’s actions, not ours.  The actions we are admonished to take in these two scriptures are to not fear (as one who is abandoned does) and to not be anxiously looking all around us ( as though we are left unprotected).

May we draw strength and courage during these difficult times as we daily remind ourselves that we are not alone or unprotected—we are sheltered!