Have you asked yourself why and how we can find safety in God?
Is there a person or a thing that makes you afraid right now in your life? We all know the feeling when someone or something intimidates us. Then we feel threatened, burdened, and not safe. We have knots in our stomachs, our hands sweat when we think about what scares us, and sometimes this thing occupies our thoughts all day and all night long, stealing our sleep and peace.
The source of fear can be a person we don’t feel safe around–someone who tries to control or manipulate us, or someone we know we can’t trust. This can be a situation in our family, a disease, a challenge at work, or a conflict with a co-worker or a friend. Whatever it is, we don’t feel safe.
Why We Can Find Safety in God
In such situations, there is a Person who can make us feel safe and taken care of. We can trust God to be our safe person and a safe dwelling because He has revealed Himself as the Good Shepherd who lays His life down for His sheep (John 10:11).
The Good Shepherd knows His sheep, and they know Him (John 10:14). The sheep listen to His voice and follow Him (John 10:16).
The Good Shepherd provides for His sheep so they lack nothing (Psalm 23:1). He leads His sheep in green pastures and soothes them beside quiet waters, refreshing their souls (Psalm 23:2-3). The Lord guides them along the right paths (Psalm 23:3).
He is our comforter in the darkest valley; because of Him, we will fear no evil, because He is constantly with us, watching us (Psalm 23:4)
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The Kind of Safety God Gives
God always gives us the safety of His presence. We are not promised a life without enemies, or dark valleys, or pain and suffering. But can always run and hide in God’s presence. What does this mean for us?
- It means we have the Ruler of the Universe, the almighty God, as our friend and protector.
- He hears our prayers and works on our behalf to restore the peace in our hearts and work out all things for good.
- We have His help, strength, and wisdom at our disposal to overcome our fears and live in safety.
- God keeps our souls safe, and nothing and nobody can snatch us out of His hand.
- We can live free from worries, fears, and anxiety despite hard situations, challenging circumstances, and people.
No One Will Make You Afraid
The prophet Ezekiel paints a beautiful picture in chapter 34 of God as the Shepherd of Israel. We can truly feel God’s heart and love behind all the beautiful promises He gives to His people.
As their Shepherd, God Himself will search for His sheep, look after them, and rescue them (Ezekiel 34:11-12).
He will search for the lost and bring back the strays. He will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak (Ezekiel 34:16).
He will make a covenant of peace with them so that they may live in the wilderness and sleep in the forests in safety (Ezekiel 34:25).
The people will be secure in their land. They will live in safety, and no one will make them afraid(Ezekiel 34:27-28).
God will make them and the places surrounding His hill a blessing and will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing (Ezekiel 34:26).
We can see that, as a Shepherd God is highly committed and involved in granting His people peace, safety, and freedom from their fears, so that no one will make them afraid because He is their God.
He is our God, too, and if we entrust ourselves to Him, truly no one will make us afraid.
How We Can Find Safety in God
#1 Finding Safety as We Devote Ourselves to the Lord
We find safety in God in two ways. The first way is to devote ourselves to Him, to submit to His ways and will, and strive to live a righteous life, avoiding sin and evil. This principle is beautifully expressed in Job, chapter 11.
“Yet if you devote your heart to him and stretch out your hands to him, if you put away the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your tent, then, free of fault, you will lift up your face; you will stand firm and without fear.” (Job 11:13-15, NIV)
Listen to God’s promise of rest and safety, if we devote ourselves to Him:
“You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety. You will lie down, with no one to make you afraid, and many will court your favor.” (Job 11:18-19 NIV)
#2 Finding Safety as We Call Upon the Lord
This echoes the declaration of the psalmist, “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety (Psalm 4:8, NIV). In this psalm, we can also see the second way to find safety in God, namely when we call upon the Lord and ask Him to give us relief from our distress and have mercy on us (Psalm 4:1).
The psalmist has confidence because he leads a righteous life and trusts the Lord (Psalm 4:4-5).
We can also have confidence in God’s protection and ability to give us peace as long as we follow and trust Him.
Find Safety and Comfort When You Go Through Suffering and Pain
Do you want to draw near to God when you are tempted to pull away amidst painful and traumatic experiences? Do you long for the transformation of your painful story into a story of preparation, empowerment, fruitfulness, and growth?
My new book “DRAW NEAR: How Painful Experiences Become the Birthplace of Blessings” takes you on a journey through 13 painful experiences, showing the precious blessings in each of them.
More Encouragement for You
If you need more resources, encouragement, and comfort during painful experiences, I highly recommend these books. Check them out.
Uprooting Anger by Robert D. Jones
Trusting God in All the Things: 90 Devotions for Finding Peace in Your Every Day by Karen Ehman and Ruth Schwenk
Make Up Your Mind: Unlock Your Thoughts, Transform Your Life by Denise Dubois Pass and Michelle Nietert
Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero
Life Can Be Good Again by Lisa Appelo
It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way by Lisa Terkeurst
Hope When Life Unravels: Finding God When It Hurts by Adam Dooley
Restoration Year – a 365 Days Devotional by John Eldredge
All Things New by John Eldredge
This page contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. The commission I make from these items will help keep this blog going. Thank you!
Your Turn
How do you find safety in God? Share in the comments and on social media if you found this article helpful. Thank you!
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I always thought god was a safe place. You can say anything with no judgement. Love the thought – How We Can Find Safety in God. Not everyone can. Some just haven’t found their way yet.
Thanks, Mary Ann. Yes, our God is really a safe place to hide from our troubles and worries. Blessings!
Thank you for sharing these encouraging ideas of why and how we can find safety in God. The message to devote ourselves to Him is clear and helpful and a great reminder we are never alone.
Thanks, Debbie! I am glad the post encouraged you! Blessings.
Thank you so much for these helpful words about finding safety in God. It’s very timely as I was just thinking about my grandchildren who are going to be having their first sleepover at our house soon without their parents. I will encourage them to remember that God is watching over them and that they are safe if they wake up in the middle of the night. I may even have them memorize one of the verses you referenced. Great post!
Thanks so much, Lisa! It is so good that you can practically apply those truths to the situation with your grandchildren. I pray that the sleepover without their parents will help them trust God’s care and protection!
Yes, he is our Refuge and our safe hiding place! Thank you for these truths, Hadassah! This was so nourishing to my soul today!
Thanks, friend! I am happy these truths encouraged and inspired you. Blessings!
I am always inspired by your love for God, dear sister. Your support and encouragement over the past year have been such a blessing and encouragement to me. It is such an honor to call you a sister in Christ. May God continue to bless you in all your endeavors. You are always in my prayers.
Thanks so much, Horace! I appreciate your kind words and prayer support. Blessings to you!
Your reflections are always so encouraging. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and heart.
Thanks, Sarah! I am glad the post encouraged you. Blessings!