Psalm 23

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One of my dear friends was recently diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Another was released from the hospital after a five-week stay for encephalitis. A third battles a malignant brain tumor. And the list goes on. 

My human bent tends to feel anxious about what the future holds for these women. How will they and their families cope with the fear giant that comes with suffering and uncertainty?

My human bent fears for my own family, too, but this giant bears the name “financial insecurity.” A gallon of milk costs more than five dollars where we live. Filling a cart with groceries nearly requires a second mortgage—if you’re able to afford a home, that is.

My kids are grown now with children of their own, and it’s easy for my Mama Bear heart to worry. What does the economic future hold? How will my kids make ends meet if prices continue to soar? 

Perhaps a greater cause for anxiety is our culture’s moral decline. I have fourteen grandchildren, and I fear society’s influence on their souls. When the time comes for them to leave home, will they remain true to Jesus and His values, or will they conform to the world’s standards instead?

The fear giant looms large for many people. Perhaps you can relate. Maybe it has robbed you of a good night’s sleep, tied your stomach in knots, and made your head throb and your muscles ache. If so, you are not alone.

Knowing God by name helps us fight fear

When the fear giant threatened to consume the population during the pandemic, I dug into Scripture to find verses that showed me how to fight it. That’s when I discovered a weapon that’s proven life-changing. That is—understanding and applying the power of God’s names.

In Old Testament times, God manifested His nature through His names. Like a diamond’s facets, each name reflects a particular aspect of His character so we can better understand who He is. The more complete our understanding of His character, the better able we are to trust Him. Learning to trust God more fully gives us courage to face the fear giant. 

Here are three of God’s Hebrew names to remember when the fear giant casts its shadow over you:

El Elyon – “Most High God”

This name declares God to be ultimate in supremacy, sovereignty, and authority. He is the Creator of heaven and earth; therefore, everything belongs to Him and He has the right to do with it as He deems best. He is the boss, and He always has the final say.

When the fear giant struts toward us, let’s remain steadfast, grounded in the truth that God is in control of every detail of our lives. What He says will happen, happens. Because of who He is, He is the final authority. Nothing stops Him from fulfilling His promises and purposes, and those purposes are always good.

Take that, fear giant!

Yahweh Rohi – “the LORD is my Shepherd”

This name reveals God as the almighty Creator who cares for us as a shepherd cares tenderly for his lambs. But there’s more. For instance, the verb “is” denotes God as present-tense. He’s with us every moment of every day to protect, comfort, and guide. The word “my” infers an intimate relationship. We belong to the Shepherd because He bought us with the price of His own blood, and we depend on Him.

When I feel afraid, I envision God cradling me in His arms as Scripture describes:

“…He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart....” (Isaiah 40:11 NIV)

The fear giant can’t touch me when God holds me tight. Be gone, fear giant!

Yahweh Yireh – “the LORD will provide”

This name means more than the obvious. God not only meets our needs, but He sees in advance what those needs will be and then meets them at precisely the right time. He perceives our thoughts and feelings about those needs and enters our experience as He provides for them. 

God’s power over our needed provisions stretches beyond the material. He also supplies wisdom, comfort, guidance, discernment, peace, joy, and perseverance.  The apostle Paul wrote,

"And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19).

Let’s recall this promise when the fear of not having enough intimidates us, and let’s find courage in knowing God is the infinite source of whatever we lack.

Get lost, fear giant!

Scripture mentions fear more than 350 times because God knows it’s a big deal for us, but He also gave us the key to victory over it. Understanding His nature as revealed through His names and then choosing to live from the truth transforms us from cowardly to courageous. He’s given us a powerful weapon, so let’s pick it up and use it to topple the fear giant.

If this post encouraged you, you’ll enjoy Jennifer’s conversation with Grace in this Faith Over Fear podcast episode titled, “Knowing God by Name: Finding Peace When Fear Feels Overwhelming”.

Get to Know Grace Fox:

Grace has written 15 books and published hundreds of articles in magazines including “Focus on the Family,” “Insights,” and “Today’s Christian Woman.” She’s a regular contributor to Guideposts’ annual “Mornings With Jesus” and a member of the First 5 writing team (P31 Ministries). Her book, “Finding Hope in Crisis: Devotions for Calm in Chaos” won the Golden Scroll “Devotional Book of the Year” award in 2021. “Keeping Hope Alive: Devotions for Strength in the Storm” won the same award in 2022.

Fox speaks at women’s events worldwide and is the national co-director of International Messengers Canada, an interdenominational ministry that offers creative short-term and career opportunities in more than 30 countries. She and her husband married in 1982 and celebrate three grown children and fourteen grandchildren. They live full-time on a sailboat near Vancouver, British Columbia.

Check Out Her Latest Release, Names of God: Knowing Peace: Devotional Study with Video Access (Names of God Devotional Studies):

Peace. The very word evokes images of serene landscapes and quiet stillness. In today’s chaotic world, peace is a valuable commodity. The Bible has a lot to say about peace, claiming that God himself is the ultimate source. In this follow-up to Names of God: Living Unafraid, Grace Fox reflects on how the following names of God point to the peace our souls so desperately crave:

  • Yahweh Shalom―The Lord Is Peace
  • Abba―Father
  • El Shaddai―God Almighty
  • El Roi―The God Who Sees Me
  • Yahweh Ori―The Lord Is My Light
  • Yahweh Nissi―The Lord Is My Banner
  • Immanuel―God with Us

Knowing Peace uses examples from Scripture and compelling real-life stories to illustrate how these names can bring inner peace amid life’s storms. Each session includes a guided prayer, reflection questions, and a video link providing additional insights from Grace. Perfect for individual or group study, this new addition to the Names of God series will encourage and inspire readers to draw near to God and receive his peace that passes understanding (Philippians 4:7).

Buy it HERE.

How to Trust God When Prayers Go Unanswered – Faith Over Fear

(Scroll down to share your thoughts on future episodes!) In this powerful episode of Faith Over Fear, Carol sits down with Chad Roberts to confront one of the most painful lies we believe in suffering: If God loved me, He would stop this. Even more deeply, many of us quietly wrestle with the fear that suffering means God has abandoned us. Through Chad’s personal story of losing his sight, this conversation gently but firmly reframes that lie with truth: God’s presence is not measured by our comfort. Instead of standing at a distance, He steps into our pain—and never leaves. Together, Carol and Chad explore how suffering can distort our view of God and whisper dangerous lies about His character. Rooted in Scripture, they walk through the stories of Joseph, Job, and ultimately Jesus, reminding us that while God may not always provide explanations, He always offers His presence. The cross becomes the clearest picture of this truth—not a removal of suffering, but redemption through it. This episode also unpacks what it means to develop unshakable confidence in God—not confidence in outcomes, but in His character. Chad offers practical insight into what “suffering well” looks like in everyday moments and how to guard your heart against bitterness when life doesn’t go as planned. For those walking alongside someone in pain, this conversation provides compassionate guidance on what to say—and what not to say—encouraging listeners to replace empty platitudes with meaningful presence. If you’re in a season of pain, disappointment, or questioning where God is, this episode offers a steady reminder: you are not alone, and your suffering is not a sign of God’s absence—but an invitation to experience His nearness in a deeper way. Resource referenced: Blind Faith: Seeing God Through Darkness by Chad Roberts Biblical verses and passages discussed: Psalm 118:24  James 1:2  Mark 11:22  Psalm 23:2  Jeremiah 2:13  2 Corinthians 4:17  1 Peter 4:19  Isaiah 40:31  Connect with Chad Roberts: On his website On Instagram On Facebook Follow his work on Amazon Find Carol McCracken: On her website  On Facebook On Instagram Reflective Questions: When you’re in a difficult season, what thoughts do you tend to believe about God—and are they rooted in truth or in fear? Have you ever equated God’s love with your level of comfort? How might that belief be shaping your faith right now? What would it look like for you to shift from trusting outcomes to trusting God’s character? In what ways might God be inviting you to experience His presence in your current struggle rather than removing it? How do you typically respond to others who are suffering—and how can you grow in offering presence instead of quick answers? What is one simple, grounding practice you can begin this week to stay anchored in truth when suffering feels overwhelming? We’d love your input on something we're praying through.As we plan our next mini-series for Faith Over Fear, we want to speak into what you’re actually walking through—not just what we think might help.If you have 30 seconds, would you take our quick poll on Spotify? Your responses will guide the conversations we create. Take our poll HERE!  Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
  1. How to Trust God When Prayers Go Unanswered
  2. Calming Anxiety and Fear with Biblical Truth
  3. When Shattered Dreams Leave You Humiliated
  4. When Life Feels Unfair: How to Trust God When Hardship Hits
  5. Why Do I Keep Repeating the Same Relational Patterns: Reducing Anxiety by Healing Past Wounds

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Photo by stock images found on freedigitalphotos.net

Do you feel frazzled, confused, anxious, defeated? Like you’re running in circles, wearing yourself out without getting anywhere? Are you spending your days and nights stressing and angsting over everything from your children’s spiritual health to your job security?

Whatever we fear, whatever the struggle, there’s one answer: Fear of the Lord. Because fear of the Lord and fear of the world cannot coexist. At each moment, we’re fearing one of the other.

One depletes us, the other, like Proverbs 3:7-8 promises, nourishes us. “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones” (NIV).

Fear of the Lord, which is the act of surrendering to God in reverence and awe and resting in who He is, what He’s promised, and what He’s done, changes everything!

Duffey_Myers300In the following post, today’s guests Betsy Duffey andLaurie Myers reminded me of this life-encompassing truth as they shared their thoughts on a pack of stupid, smelly animals. Read her thoughts then share yours. But first, I wanted to let you know, there’s still time to enter last week’s book give-away drawing. Go here to learn more.

AND… We’re launching another give-away today! The Writing Sisters are giving away a copy of their latest release, The Shepherd’s Song, to one of you (in the continental US), randomly selected from the comments left on today’s post.

Learning from The Shepherd by Betsy Duffey and Laurie Myers 

Have you ever thought about yourself as a sheep? In the Bible people are often compared to sheep. As we wrote The Shepherd’s Song we needed some firsthand IMG_0398experience with sheep so we found a farm in North Georgia and set up a visit. See if you can find yourself in what we learned.

The Shepherd prepares good things for us

As the shepherd filled up the feed buckets, he explained the importance of the formula of the food. Sheep cannot eat regular feed because it contains copper, but the feed he prepares is safe.

Carefully, the shepherd measured the quantity. “Sheep don’t know when to stop eating,” he explained. “Their appetite is bottomless. They will eat anything and they will eat until it is unhealthy.”

IMG_0380The shepherd poured out the healthy food into troughs so that each sheep could get to the food without crowding or leaving out the weak ones. The food was for all.

Our heavenly Shepherd knows what we need. He gives spiritual food that will satisfy, not like the world. And He gives the right amount and He gives to all.

The Shepherd protects the sheep

We were leaning over the wired enclosure to get better photographs when the shepherd called, “Be careful that’s an electric fence!” Quickly we jumped back. It turned out that only the bottom wire was electric. The electric fence may shock the sheep at first, until they learn to stay away, but it also keeps out predators that can kill them.

Our heavenly Shepherd protects us in ways we do not know or understand.

The Shepherd lets the sheep experience consequences.

Ultra, one of the bigger sheep ate too fast. The dry food caught in her throat and she began to gag. The shepherd shook his head. “She eats too much, too fast, and then can’t swallow it all. She has to work it out for herself.”

It was painful to watch her struggling to heave up the dry oats in her throat. She coughed and jumped and strained. But the shepherd could only watch. He was with her, but let her work out the problem caused by her own actions.

Our Shepherd may, at times, let us work out our problems, but He is always there with us.

Gratitude pleases the Shepherd.

The sheep’s pen was bare of grass, but we could see the meadow adjacent where the shepherd had planted rye grass for the winter. “What I love,” he explained, “is when I take the sheep to the grassy meadow to feed. They have all the food they want, they don’t need me, but some of them still come to me.”

Our Shepherd loves it when we come to Him in gratitude.

Time with the Shepherd makes the sheep love Him more.

Amanda was the oldest sheep, and older sheep have acquired wisdom. Amanda was a stabilizing force in the flock, and the most savvy about dangers. She was also the most grateful. She never misses an opportunity to spend time with the shepherd. “Even when there’s no food involved she’ll come out to see me,” he said.

Time with our Shepherd helps us love Him more.

Our field trip to learn about sheep and shepherds turned into a rich learning experience, one that we will not forget. God always grows us and teaches us sometimes in unexpected ways! Did you see yourself in any of the examples?

The Writing Sisters, Betsy Duffey and Laurie Myers were born into a writing family, and began critiquing manuscripts at an early age for their mother, Newbery winner Betsy Byars.  They went on to become authors of more than thirty-five children’s novels. Their first book for adults, The Shepherd’s Song, is being released in paperback April 2015.

You can connect with Laurie and Betsy on their monthly newsletter where they send out updates and their popular free devotional books. Contact them at WritingSisters.com and find them on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest.

Grab your copy of The Shepherd’s Song here.

Grunge ornamental cover for an album with photosThe Shepherd’s Song:

Follow the incredible journey of one piece of paper—a copy of Psalm 23—as it travels around the world, linking lives and hearts with its simple but beautiful message.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures…

Shortly before a tragic car accident, Kate McConnell wrote down the powerful words of Psalm 23 on a piece of paper for her wayward son. Just before she loses consciousness, Kate wonders if she’s done enough with her life and prays, “Please, let my life count.”

Unbeknownst to Kate, her handwritten copy of Psalm 23 soon begins a remarkable journey around the world. From a lonely dry cleaning employee to a soldier wounded in Iraq, to a young Kurdish girl fleeing her country, to a Kenyan runner in the Rome Invitational marathon, this humble message forever changes the lives of twelve very different people. Eventually, Kate’s paper makes it back to its starting place, and she discovers the unexpected ways that God changes lives, even through the smallest gestures.

With beautiful prose evocative of master storyteller Andy Andrews’s The Butterfly Effect, this story will touch your heart and remind you of the ways God works through us to reach beyond what we can imagine.

Let’s talk about this! Besty said, “God always grows us and teaches us sometimes in unexpected ways! Did you see yourself in any of the examples?”

What are some unexpected ways God has grown and/or taught you? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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The other day, while driving, my husband and I passed a blind woman led by a seeing eye dog. Cars zoomed by and horns honked, but the dog remained focused. His task? To bring the woman to her destination safely. The woman’s task? To follow, not veering to the left or right. As I watched her, I couldn’t help but think how incredibly frightening that must have been. She couldn’t see the path ahead, or what lay between her and her destination. All she could do was focus on her next step, then the next, and the next. Through practiced obedience, she’d become accustomed to her guides every move, and she responded accordingly. When the dog stopped, she stopped. When he veered, she veered. Her sensitivity to his movements, at times, may have meant the difference between life and death.

Our faith walk is a lot like that, isn’t it? In many ways, it’s like walking in the dark, not knowing what obstacles, hurdles, or detours lie ahead. It’s easy to get so caught up in the “what-ifs” that we loose our focus on the here and now–that next step. But like a seeing eye dog who guides his companion with unwavering focus, God has promised to lead us to our final destination.

All we need to do is focus on our guide and take that next step.

1 The Lord is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.
2 He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams.
3 He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to his name.
4 Even when I walk
through the darkest valley,[a]
I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
protect and comfort me.
5 You prepare a feast for me
in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.
6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord
forever.

God leads us, not always along the path of least resistance, but the path of inner peace. When you surrender everything to God, trusting Him to be who He says He is and do what He promises to do, you’ll find rest even amidst the greatest struggles because you’ll realize it’s not about you. It’s not about how great you are, how gifted, talented, strong, insightful. It’s about how obedient and pliable you are.

Our trust is not based on our present circumstances, but instead, in the unfailing goodness of God. I love how verse six puts it–God’s goodness and love will pursue us.