When I Am Afraid I Will Trust in You: Psalm 56 Devotional
My son had a dream this week that he was kidnapped by Bigfoot. The next morning he told me about it over his plate of toaster waffles.
“Mom, Bigfoot attacked me and carried me away from my room! I was up in the night because I couldn’t fall back asleep. From now on I’m going to sleep with a nerf gun by me– to keep me safe.”
I was proud of myself for not laughing when he told me. (Parenting, I’ve learned, is 76% not laughing at very fun things your kids do and say.)
But I didn’t laugh it off. I could tell my son all the reasons why Bigfoot is not coming to get him….we live in suburban Michigan for starters. Our house is locked with an armed alarm system. He is safe in his home, safe in his bed.
But, as a frequent flier to the weird and terrible nightmare club, I know that doesn’t help.
Logically, I know I don’t need to rescue my sister from our burning childhood home. I know my brother doesn’t have to sacrifice himself to save the world by flying to outer space ala Bruce Willis in Armageddon. I know a tidal wave isn’t going to sweep my family away (see location in suburban Michigan).
But it’s terrifying all the same to feel like that is actually happening. I’ve been afraid to close my eyes because of what I’ll see when my imagination and unspoken fears take over. So I let compassion and empathy lead our conversation. I listened.
I have well worn paths that help me when I have nightmares, and I have laid out the map for my son. He knew what to do to help him fall back asleep. Turn on low lights. Read a book that makes you happy. Pray. Rewrite the dream in your awake mind. Sing.
Singing is one of my favorite ways to combat fear. Like Buddy the Elf says, “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.” I’ve found it works for cheer in general, not just Christmas-specific.
When I am afraid, I will trust in You…
When I was little, my nightmares would wake me up trembling and give me stomach aches before I fell asleep. My mom taught me an old Steve Green song called “When I am Afraid, I will trust in You.” She told me to sing it to myself when I was woken up from a bad dream to help me calm myself.
It’s the words to Psalm 56:3-4a paired with a simple melody. The song goes
“When I am afraid
I will trust in you
I will trust in you
When I am afraid
I will trust in you
In God’s whose word I praise.”
I can’t tell you how many nights I’ve sung that song over myself and how I’ve met it again like an old friend as I sing it over my kids.
“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” -Psalm 56:3-4
Fear is a reality. We live in a world that gives us many reasons to be afraid. No offense to King David who wrote this Psalm, mere mortals can actually do a LOT to you.
Just LIFE, living in a fallen world, can do a lot to you.
AND we can trust God.
Is it always simple? No. Do scary things happen? Yes. Does God promise to be with us whether we are fighting Bigfoot or cancer or for our marriage? Yes.
Another verse we recite often as a family is Isaiah 41:10. It says, “Do not be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be discouraged for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”
God promises, not that we will never have anything to fear, but to be with us. To encourage us with His character and strength. We have the Champion of every darkness, sickness, death holding us up, securing us now and forever.
We can trust Him in the big scary moments, in the daily startles, in the unsettling and uncomfortable. He is with us. He is for us. He is holding us up in victory. Fear can go to hell.
Father, we lay whatever feels scary to us today at your feet. Our deepest and darkest fears stand no chance against You. Your presence is our peace. We believe you are with us and for us. Intervene, protect, and give peace. Amen.
