I look up to the mountains—
does my help come from there?
My help comes from the Lord… Psalm 121:1-2
Fear comes in all sorts of packages and at all kinds of different times. I’m afraid I’m a bit of a worrier. I don’t want to be and it’s embarrassing to admit that, but it’s true. That worry is actually fear in disguise.
I’m the type of person who really wants to know what’s going to happen, how and when. I try to be spontaneous but my nature is most comfortable in structure, knowing what’s expected of me, having a plan – you know.
Living a life with Jesus requires me to step out of that comfortable place a lot. Living in general causes me to step out. Life does not always follow a carefully constructed plan, especially a life surrendered to God.
I have been patiently taught over and over by Him to let go of fear, to trust Him more, to remember that any control I think I have in my life or over anything is false control. It’s an illusion that gives false peace.
This past year one of the phrases I recited to myself often was “fear is an opportunity to trust God.” I said that to myself a LOT. You’d think it would have sunk in so well that I wouldn’t need to relearn this lesson…again.
I guess God has job security as my Father and teacher, guider, and potter because I’m in constant need of instruction, guidance, molding and reshaping.
I find myself desperate to retreat to His arms, crawl back into His lap looking up to his face, pleading for Him to still my heart and help me remember that He is always in control. Not sometimes. Not every once in a while. Not for only a short time. Forever. Always. Period.
He never changes. Like it says in James 1:17, God doesn’t change like shifting shadows. Unlike the sun and moon that cast a light that shifts with the moving of earth, God is constant and steady. Every good gift in our life comes from Him. He loves us. He loves me.
My help doesn’t come from my own method of figuring things out, from my plans, from my strength or know-how. My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth, everything and everyone. He watches over me all the time, day or night. He never sleeps or looks away or loses focuses. Thankfully God does not have ADD.
I cling to these promises from Psalm 121, especially when fear creeps in again. I guess I can let go of feeling guilty for feeling afraid sometimes. I just need to remember to give it over to Jesus and trust Him to help me.
Thank you, Papa, for letting me know You and know Your love. Thank you for your endless patience with me and my silly, sometimes-frantic worried mind. Please remove fear and replace it with Your peace. I’m so thankful for You. I love You.
I look up to the mountains—
does my help come from there?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth!
3 He will not let you stumble;
the one who watches over you will not slumber.
4 Indeed, he who watches over Israel
never slumbers or sleeps.
5 The Lord himself watches over you!
The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.
6 The sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon at night.
7 The Lord keeps you from all harm
and watches over your life.
8 The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go,
both now and forever. Psalm 121 NLT
Along the Narrow Path 
Mimi, you described me in your second paragraph. I, too, want to know what, where, and when things are going to happen so I can plan my days, weeks, and even more. And when I don’t have details shared regarding things that I’m involved with, the stress level goes up. Thank you for the reminder that our security, help, and guidance is in His hands – and therefore I can relax and enjoy what is really more important than knowing EVERY detail. Love, Grandma Flynt
You’re right. Since you can’t know God’s plan in advance, you can’t know what is going to happen next, and thus you need to accept that anxiety. However, this part gives me pause:
“My help doesn’t come from my own method of figuring things out, from my plans, from my strength or know-how.”
The Lord would not have given you strength and the tools you have, without trusting you to be able to use them. I believe that is part of his plan as well. Your know-how itself comes from the Lord. He wants you to use it. It’s not about hubris, just have faith in the Lord and confidence in yourself- if that makes sense.