“I come to you for protection, O my God.
Save me from my persecutors—rescue me!”
(Psalm 7:1, NLT)

I have a confession. I typically do not watch (or read, or listen to) the news. I have my reasons why I do not, but the one I will share today is fear. I feel as if the 24-7-365 news  manipulates us to be in a constant state of fear. Whether it’s terrorist threats, natural disasters, the latest disease outbreak, dangers of cyber thieves or physical thieves, child stalkers, the perils of certain political parties or special interest groups, new discoveries in  medical risks, or dangerous malfunctioning products, the news inundates us with fear.
It’s too much. And it’s overwhelming, at least, for me.

Therefore, I choose not to listen to those who make a living “informing” people of everything they need to fear.  Otherwise, I think I could end up hiding under my bed, refusing to come out and face the perilous world – but then, I’m sure I would find out that there is danger in the (gasp) dust that I’ve allowed to collect under there.

Instead, in the midst of our crazy and fear-filled world, I choose to turn to the Lord and say, “I come to you for protection.”

Certainly I will seek to live wisely and not live in ignorance, for scripture tells us:
“O! Teach us to live well! Teach us to live wisely and well!” (Psalm 90:12 MSG)

And I know that the things we watch and listen to influence us greatly:
“Pleasant words are a honeycomb: sweet to the taste and health to the body.”  (Proverbs 16:24 HCJB)

But I will not live in fear or be fed by fear. For scripture also tells us:
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7 NLT)

How do you combat the fear mongers?  Where do you find your security? Is it by staying up to date on everything that might harm you? Is it in your insurance policies?  Your home or computer security protection?  The area you choose to live or how you arm yourself? Is it in something else?  Or is it in the knowledge that our Heavenly Father will never leave us nor forsake us?

God my Protector, may I find my safety and security in You. May I not walk in fear, but trust in You in every area of my life. I know this fallen world we live in can be a scary place to live, but I will choose to say “I come to you for protection, O my God.”