By Katy Mariotti

Fear Itself

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this Sound Cloud link.

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
Psalm 27:1 English Standard Version

I’ve mentioned before that my brain tends to lean towards anxiety. Recently we had a bit of a rough week in our house as my kids had a stomach bug and then my husband and I both got colds. My daughter’s illness was very mild, but my son seemed to get better and then get worse again. While I tried to remain calm, my anxiety brain kept feeding me thoughts like “maybe it’s not a stomach bug. He might have a food allergy. Then we’ll need to do testing and watch everything he eats.” Then I made the mistake of searching on the internet, which of course led me down terrible rabbit holes of disease and illness. On the day I took this picture, both kids had seemed to turn a corner, and we went for a walk. Seeing this little waterfall and all the springtime growing things, as well as seeing my kids run around throwing rocks into the stream, finally put me at ease a bit.

The Psalm 27 verse was actually the verse given to me at my confirmation, and it’s SO appropriate for me. It goes on to say:

“When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall.  Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident.”
Psalm 27:2-3 ESV

I didn’t know when I was confirmed that sometimes, the army encamping against me would not be an actual army, but my own thoughts and fears. When it comes down to it, I can know and trust that the Lord IS the stronghold of my life. No matter what does come my way, whether it is sickness, grief, tragedy, or just my own fear, I can trust that God is my salvation and will light my way.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado