God's There, and He Cares

Do you know those days that just stink? Having dealt a lot with anxiety and panic the past couple of years, I've had to cope with my share of rotten days. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever faced a more challenging year than 2020. Even when I put COVID aside, I can honestly say that 2020 has been a year of trials, broken relationships, and new beginnings.

I thank God firstly for His Word. Often, when I experience fear and worry, I go to the Bible and find peace. Our Father has placed passages of Scripture for every moment in our lives! Secondly, I thank God for music. Quite a few times in the past year, I would climb up into a tree, headphones and phone in hand, and listen to songs that helped me realize that God is with me.

In this post, I want to share the five verses and the five songs that helped me when I was stressed, worried, anxious, panicked, or scared.

Verses

1. “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” (Psalm 147:3, ESV)

Isn’t that a breath of fresh air? I can’t tell you how many times I’ve felt brokenhearted this past year. Not just for myself, but for others as well. Take a second and remember a time when you were brokenhearted. Maybe you still have some open wounds from losing a loved one or from a broken relationship. Trust me, I’ve been there, and only God was able to bind up my wounds, and I know only He can heal your broken heart.

2. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV)

It seems like the future is always calling, huh? For example, next year, I’ll be going to college, and I still haven’t found out what God wants me to do. Often, I feel a sort of burden on my shoulders as I wonder what career path I need to follow or how I’ll make it through college money-wise. Then, I remember to look up. Our Father knows the plans he has for us. How sweet and hopeful those words are!

3. “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” (James 1:2-3, ESV)

2020 is just full of trials, isn’t it? First, there was COVID, staying at home, wearing masks, social distancing, and not going to church. Then, there were the riots, and many policemen across the nation getting disrespected and slandered over one man’s cruel deed. To add to all the problems, there were your own personal struggles. Oh! And don’t forget the devastation from the fires, hurricanes, locusts, and earthquakes. I know life may not seem hopeful at the moment, but when you step out of these trials, you’ll find that you have more faith and perseverance!

4. “May the LORD give strength to his people! May the LORD bless his people with peace!” (Psalm 29:11, ESV)

Have you ever stayed up a night, worrying? I have. During nights like this, I cry out this verse. I ask God to give me strength and peace. Next time you can’t sleep, cry out to God to provide you with enough power to trust him. Peace can only come from trusting God, which leads me to the fifth verse.

5. “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.” (Isaiah 12:2, ESV)

I think we all feel a sense of dread and fear as the elections approach (Especially after the last debate!). It feels like the weight of the nation is in the balance. But guess what? We don’t have to put our trust in who will remain or become our next president. Instead, we must put our faith in God. If we fully trust the Father, we will not be afraid of what is to come because He will be our strength, song, and salvation.

Songs

1. “It is Well with my Soul” by Horatio G. Spafford

What bold words this man wrote! To say all is well with your soul is a hard thing to do while actually meaning it. Now to you who think this guy was probably living “the life” when he composed this song, know that he wrote this after losing everything. First, he lost his business to the Great Chicago Fire. Then, he lost his two daughters to a shipwreck. This was the setting for this song. Spafford recognized that Jesus had saved him from sins, and that’s why all was well with his soul! Can you and I sing this song with absolute sincerity when we go through trials?

2. “I Still Believe” by Jeremy Camp

This could be the modern-day rendition of the above song. Recently, I learned the backstory of the song when I watched the movie I Still Believe. If you haven’t seen it, I would recommend it. (Warning: Spoilers ahead!) Camp fell in love with a beautiful Christian girl, and they started going out. Then, they discovered she had cancer. A little later, God healed her of cancer, and they got married, but she got very sick on their honeymoon. Jeremy and Melissa returned home only to discover that she had cancer once more. She would probably not get through it. Eventually, Melissa passed away, leaving Jeremy heartbroken. This song came out of this experience. To say “I Still Believe” after losing your wife to cancer is bold. Once more, I ask if you and I can sing this song with absolute sincerity when we go through trials?

3. “Shoulders” by for King and Country

Do you ever feel a burden on your shoulders? If you’re anything like me, then this burden sometimes makes you want to fall over. But then “I look up to the mountains” and am reminded that God is right there with me. Helping me make each step. Carrying "my weakness, my sickness, my brokenness" on his shoulders. As that old poem states, sometimes we look back and only see one set of footprints.

4. “Voice of Truth” by Casting Crowns

Have you ever had those days where you can only remember all those times you’ve “tried before and failed?” Jesus doesn’t want that for you and me. He wants you and me to listen to His voice, saying, “Do not be afraid. This is for my glory.” Out of all the lies in our world today, we should heed only this voice. We should believe only this Truth.

5. “Symphony” by Switch Youth

Ever had those times when everything just crowds around you to the point that you can’t breathe? At moments like this, we should drown out all the noise and remember our hope is found in only Jesus. He’s working everything for our good. If we believe this, we will have peace even when the world is going mad around us. He is writing the most beautiful symphony you’ve ever heard.

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Next time you feel overwhelmed, take a moment, and listen to one of these songs or meditate on one of these verses. Remember, God is there for you, and He cares!

Comment below and tell me a song or verse you look to when you’re scared, stressed, worried, anxious, or panicked!