Last night I couldn't sleep, so I stayed on the phone with a friend. By 2 A.M. we were both exhausted, but for some reason, I didn't want to be alone. With my friend still on the phone, I quickly turned off the light, then jumped into bed and pulled the covers over me. I didn't know what I was afraid of; the little noises I heard were just the walls, I knew that. I also knew that my fears were childish, but I still let them get to me. Well we had to hang up eventually, but I stalled for as long as I could. When we finally said goodbye, and I began to feel alone, I heard the song "Hold Me Jesus" play through my head, and I remembered the story I had recently read to my friends' 4-year-old daughter; it was about fear. In it, the verse Psalm 56:3 was quoted: "When I am afraid, I put my trust in You." I lay there in the silence, remembering that story, and hearing that song... and feeling the closeness of my Jesus as I drifted off to sleep. My heart and mind were brought back to what was really important.
Sometimes we, as Christians (if you are one), need to remember that fear equals lack of faith in our God, and no problem is too big for Him to overcome; whether it be as infantile as creepy sounds in the night, or as serious as torturous memories of pain and brokenness, an important choice to make that leaves you feeling torn, or life changes that you may not think you're ready for...
Just remember that He is right there with you, and He'll never leave you. You might have suffered greatly, but He suffered more, and He understands your pain better than anyone. So don't let fear or pain take you over. Hold onto Him and let Him carry you through it. You'll be stronger when you get to the other side. And the best part is, you'll never be alone.
"Hold me Jesus, 'cause I'm shaking like a leaf. You have been King of my glory...won't you be my Prince of Peace?"