I sought the LORD, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears. (v. 4)

I’ve felt so fearful for the past several months, especially concerning the future. I’m afraid of being stuck in the same place, of never getting married, of being unhappy for the rest of my life, of losing the people I love. But about a month ago, I felt God fill me with inexplicable strength that, in a way, delivered me from my fears by deeply reminding me that all of my hope is in Him.

The phrase I keep repeating nowadays is: “God’s got me.” God’s got me. And God’s got you, too.

The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them;
he delivers them from all their troubles.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit. (v. 17-18)

When I really soak in and meditate on this word, it makes me feel a little emotional. All I ever want in life is someone to lean on, to know that someone hears me, gets it, and will comfort me. That is Christ. People can change, pass away, come into your life and go, but God is unchanging. He will never pass away or disappoint or give up. He remains faithful forever–“Your faithfulness continues through all generations” (Psalm 119:90).

Do I believe it? Do I believe God really hears and delivers the righteous from their troubles? Do I really believe He is close to the brokenhearted? When I feel tempted to doubt, I remember how He’s been with me through thick and thin throughout my entire life.

Though I don’t always understand what is going on or why things need to happen, I’ve learned to trust in and feel His presence, especially during the hardest times. It doesn’t merely come from reading and understanding, but from my own experiences trudging through the muck and mire alone with Him. Deep trust is built through experience, not just knowledge, and with God it’s the same way.

I know I’m never truly alone, even if I remain single, even if my friends and family abandon me, even if I lose everything, because God is my refuge and strength. He is “close to the brokenhearted” to bring them hope, comfort, and the reminder that Christ has overcome the world–and, therefore, so can I.

Turn from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.

In this crazy world with so many injustices going on, God’s message is clear: “seek peace and pursue it.” Though I can’t control my life, my future, or the world, I can stay true to God’s word, pursue peace, and refuse to feed into dissension and fear.