Whom Shall I Fear?

I’m a person who struggles (fairly seriously) with anxiety. It can present differently, depending on the circumstance, but I’m always aware of it, lurking around the corner and waiting for the right moment to pounce.

Sometimes I feel emotional. Sometimes scared. Sometmes angry.

I spend a fair amount of time tripping on something and being anxious, or thinking about tripping on something and being anxious.

Thankfully, there are a few things I can fall back on that help me get through the tough parts. They were always there before, but I didn’t think about them when I should have much of the time–like my support network, for instance. I’ve got amazing friends and family, and can’t even begin to say how incredible my wife is, how Godly and supportive of a partner.

Sort of a coincidence, but I was doing my devotioanal reading the other day and Psalm 27 jumped out at me. Funny how scripture can speak to you

Psalm 27

Of David.

¹ The Lord is my light and my salvation—
    whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
    of whom shall I be afraid?

² When the wicked advance against me
    to devour^[a] me,
it is my enemies and my foes
    who will stumble and fall.
³ Though an army besiege me,
    my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
    even then I will be confident.

⁴ One thing I ask from the Lord,
    this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
    all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
    and to seek him in his temple.
⁵ For in the day of trouble
    he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent
    and set me high upon a rock.

⁶ Then my head will be exalted
    above the enemies who surround me;
at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;
    I will sing and make music to the Lord.

⁷ Hear my voice when I call, Lord;
    be merciful to me and answer me.
⁸ My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”
    Your face, Lord, I will seek.
⁹ Do not hide your face from me,
    do not turn your servant away in anger;
    you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
    God my Savior.
¹⁰ Though my father and mother forsake me,
    the Lord will receive me.
¹¹ Teach me your way, Lord;
    lead me in a straight path
    because of my oppressors.
¹² Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
    for false witnesses rise up against me,
    spouting malicious accusations.

¹³ I remain confident of this:
    I will see the goodness of the Lord
    in the land of the living.
¹⁴ Wait for the Lord;
    be strong and take heart
    and wait for the Lord.