Lysa TerKeurst
About the Author

Lysa TerKeurst is a New York Times bestselling author and speaker who helps everyday women live an adventure of faith through following Jesus Christ. As president of Proverbs 31 Ministries, Lysa has lead thousands over the past 15 years to help make their walk with God an invigorating journey. Not...

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Comments

    • With two daughters (adults) and a 9 year old grandson in NC, I too have had those middle of the night phone calls, and felt my heart literally trip over itself in fear. I have found that reciting the 23rd Psalm brings me peace, and the scripture you quoted are two of my favorites. I have prayed and waited for answers and often have to pray “thy will be done” in fear and trembling
      trembling, knowing it is the only way. Thanks, Lysa.

    • This was such a great encouragement for me today. I appreciate you helping us understand what fortress and refuge means. It also helps with us to visualize the Lord lifting us up as our Protector..Thank you for all your encouragement in the Lord .

      • THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THOSE UPLIFTING WORDS.AT THIS PRESENT MOMENT I AM GOING THROUGH ONE OF THE HARDSTB TIME IN MY LIFE.I WENT ON MY EMAIL AND THERE THE ANSWER WERE.THANKS FOR REMINDING ME THAT GOD IN MY REFURGE AND STRENGTH.IT HELPS TO LIFT MY BURDEN,GOD BLESS.

        • Carlene,

          I will be praying for you. Bless your heart, please remember that no matter how hard it gets in our lives, our Father is always ahead of us, He has already visited these hard roads for us as we follow them and He will bring you through all the rough places. Stand firm in your faith and on His promises, and on His beautiful promises of bringing good out of all our hurts, He does and He will, just bellieve Sweetie and it will come to be from His heart to yours. Blessings of His love, Janice

  1. Yes, fear overwhelms, and it (the FalseEvidenceAppearingReal) seems to be on the increase everywhere. I personally experience victory in one field to see it coming “at me” in another. Only throught His Spirit, but also by people reminding us when we cannot see. Thank you, Lysa.

    • Thanks for the reminder of the F.E.A.R. false evidence appearing real to share with my kids. They know I love sharing acronyms to help them remember important truths

  2. My single eldest son who lives 1300 mi from us recently was admitted to the ICU- we had received a phone call from one of his friends late at nite. We were frantic, wanting to be at his bedside. God’s promises in His Word sustained us then and now!

  3. I just had a very similar situation happen with my 15 year old son. He had a lockdown t his school. Thank you for sharing your response this could not ice come at a better time

  4. I love the practice of praying God’s word to Him. It gives us words when we don’t know what to say.

  5. Thank you, Lysa. Your ministry touches so many parts of my life right now. I am engrossed in one of your books every free moment. Although I am blessed to have my 3 boys safe at home in their beds, fear and worry impact my youngest most days. I am looking forward to sharing your new book with him and watching it bring peace and clarity to his situation just as your previous books have brought peace to my own. God bless.

  6. Thank you Lord for giving this message to Lysa right now for all of us. You are so good & provide so well. Amen.
    And thank you Lysa for being an instrument for God. I just spent an incredibly difficult night with many more lurking in the days & nights ahead. This scripture will be hidden in my heart to draw upon as I face them all while He is holding me tightly in the palm of His mighty hands.

  7. Lysa,
    Thank you for this crucial reminder that God’s Word carries with it extreme power. What better instruction to give your daughter than to claim His word and its truth in the face of fear. Perfect Love does cast out fear! I love that God reassuringly tells us that He is our refuge and our fortress. What great word pictures to carry in our minds when fear assaults us. He is our very present help in times of trouble. Thank you again, for this reminder this morning!
    Blessings,
    Bev

  8. Thank you Lysa for this message. I love the message that we can feel afraid, but don’t have to live afraid. Also, we always want to be available for our kids when they’re hurting, but giving them back scripture is also a way of showing and teaching how to reach out to God when they are struggling, the One that can always be there for them. I will always try to be available for my kids, but if I am not, it is comforting to me that I am giving them tools to calm their fears through faith in the God who stands by our side at all times, and they can live in the assurance that God is always just a cry away.

  9. What time I am afraid..I will trust in God! Whenever a spirit of fear tries to overtake me…God’s Holy Spirit rises up GREATER in me with scriptures that speak of the Sovereignty, Omnipotence and LOVE of God!

  10. Your life never has any shortage of material to fuel your writing… how would you live this without Jesus? Thank you Lysa for sharing your life with us!

  11. thank you Lysa ~ letting go and trusting God. There is so much in this life that we should fear but then giving that fear over to God and trusting in Him to be your refuge and fortress.. through those times we fear is when we rely on Him, allow Him to surround us finding safety in His loving arms, will for us and guidance! God bless you ~ thank you for your ministry! REALLY spoke to me today ~

  12. My current “fear” is not spending my days well. My Mom lives with me 6 months of the year, my daughter and family are living with us for several months on furlough from overseas missions…and I’m still in full time ministry. I’m fearful of having regrets! I want this precious family time and then feel torn when so much else crowds in. I will pray this verse this morning and ask the Lord to still my heart and be my refuge from my crazy thoughts of not doing things right or well everyday And to trust Him to guide!!

    • Joanne,

      I feel for you with the weight of responsibilities facing you at this time of life. All these things which you are doing that are so important. Things that you want and need to “do right” and that fear of failure. Oh yes, dear sister, God will be your refuge. He will be your strength and He will work all this all out for good in the midst of you weakness.

      Love and blessings,
      Barbara

  13. Perfect, perfect, perfect as we have been praying this week with our daughter about a situation we will face tomorrow (Saturday)!! Confirms all God has been showing and revealing already. THANK YOU!!

  14. Lysa,
    I have been reading Proverbs 31 devotions for several years now. Each never fails to bring a word or Scripture that impacts my life in a positive way.
    One of your readers, Gerda. Used the anachronym for fear:
    False Evidence Appearing Real
    That is SO powerful! When my husband was told he had bladder cancer and would have to have his bladder and prostate removed – we were shocked and floored! We had to drive home in separate cars. When I got in my car, I said out loud, ” Lord, I refuse to let the enemy tell me that You have deserted us! You love my husband even more than I do! I will trust YOU!” Then I sang hymns like, “Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him, How I’ve proved Him ore and ore, Jesus, Jesus, Precious Jesus, oh for faith to trust Him more.”
    The Lord was faithful through it all and continues to be so! Praise His name from whom all blessings flow!

  15. Thank you for your ministry! Women in my Bible Study and prayer group love you and are inspired by you! I have a son at the same college & my daughter will be there next year. So, I was right there with you praying for my son & all the other students on campus.
    Blessings to you,
    Susan

  16. When I can’t sleep at night I say Psalms 91:1 to myself over and over in my head. It’s like holy sleep medication for me! Would love to read your book! Thank you for the daily devotions. They help me so much! Blessings!

  17. Love this. Thank you so much for sharing. There is always so much we can fear but this verse puts it all where it needs to be. My daughter deals with anxiety and this verse helps her give her fears to God.

  18. We are in the midst of a very difficult case involving getting guardianship of our 7 & 10 year old granddaughters. Thank you for sharing, this was exactly what I needed for today. God is good…this is the exact scripture my dear friend encouraged me with yesterday.

  19. excellent visual! refuge…. fortress…. got that call while at the OBS retreat. thankful He provides both!

  20. Oh those verses… how I love those verses and how God had already equipped you for this incident ahead of time. What a chilling reminder that our God is sovereign and rules over everything. He is our refuge and our fortress.

    Thank you for this- these verses will surely be a blessing to me and all the kids I minister to about fear.

  21. I love when God gives us the perfect scripture that speaks directly to out circumstances and how the Holy Spirit can help us through difficult times.

  22. I have been tormented by fear all my life and the past 4 years have been transformed by Gods Love. Perfect love cast out fear.

  23. I have felt fear most of my life but God has shown me in the last few years that He will protect me and be with me through anything and everything. Psalm 91 has always been a favorite of mine. I love the “I can feel afraid but I don’t have to live afraid.” Thank you.

  24. Praying Everyday , fearing the evil , and control other people & circumstances bring . But always Trusting God , Never losing faith …. that would be the Devils win .

  25. Thanks for sharing this verse. Wonderful to be able to use scriptures to calm our fears! Would love to have a copy of your new children’s book to share with my son.

  26. Thank you for sharing this. I have lived afraid for many years with panic disorder. But praise The Lord His hand is leading me out of that darkness and bondage.

  27. I love using children’s books to speak to the hearts of those I love. What a perfect gift for my adult children facing trials that tend to fill them with fear and anxiety. And what a wonderful way to reach unsaved parents who may read this to their little ones. Thank you, Lysa!

  28. Thank you for sharing this, Lysa. I have just started a job, after having been a stay-at-home mom for nearly 28 years. I did volunteer tutor at my girls’ school. I have been nervous, but am learning to take it one day at a time. I have the tendency to magnify things and to look too far ahead. I must focus on God and His great and deep love for me, along with His presence with me at all times. I appreciate what you said about not having to live in fear. Yes! God continue to bless you richly!

  29. I had an experience similar to that with our middle child. He contacted me late one night from outside his apartment building. The fire department had evacuated it due to something on the floor above his. He was cold, and more than a bit shaken and unsure of what was going on. And of course I joined in those feelings initially. But once I got my heart back into my chest we talked thru the whole thing and we were both able to sleep, finally. And I of course contacted him the following day for final info, which unfortunately he didn’t know.

  30. I will share your experience of dealing with fear with our neighborhood bible study group. We are doing a study on fear and learning how to live fearlessly,, and trusting in God’s sovereign word and exercising our faith!
    Thank you Lysa!

  31. Thank you so much for sharing this, I am going to remember next time I feel Fear creeping in for me or Friends and Family to pull out these verses. I too in time’s wish God would just appear or give me that physical sign, but These verses help remind me he already is there I was just not looking in the right place and letting my fear overcome instead of letting him overcome.

  32. This is such a critical concept for me! I have always struggled with anxiety, and sadly my first reaction in stressful times is panic and fear. Worse, I feel that I have shared this bad habit with my son! I am making my own “imperfect progress” to redirect myself at such times, even by saying out loud “Stop and PRAY”, and I’m trying to be intentional about teaching my children the same.

  33. Thank you Lysa for sharing stories that can really touch my heart and help to see that God’s word is still so true today as it was when it was written.

  34. Wonderful post and very timely. I think all of us can relate to this in one way or another. Thank you for using the talents God has given you to reach out to everyone.

  35. Thank you for sharing this. It is a message and reminder of who we are and who God really is. Everything around us seems to try to force us to fear and worry. Just watching the news seems to lull us in a constant life of fear, but remembering that God is greater than anything.. and now to have a renewed and refreshed idea of who God is, I will always remember to repeat over and over if fear tries to grip me, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’”

  36. Thanks so much for sharing this. It is so timely, as are all the times God speaks to me. I have been dealing with fear lately and this helped.

  37. Thank you for constantly writing and genuinely sharing Mrs. TerKeurst! Us ladies need to hear more real as we live in a world full of fake.
    What really challenged me was the Hebrew meaning of fortress. How awesome is that! A place where fear cannot possibly be, a place to rest, and a place to renew strength as we focus with a clear mind on the one who has overcome and conquered all!! Awesome is our God 🙂
    Would love to be able to read more of your writings.

    Thanks again,
    Your sister in Christ
    -Maggie B

  38. I am a mom of a student at The University of California at Santa Barbara, where four students were killed last spring by a very troubled young man with a gun. A couple of weeks ago, I had to move him back there for his senior year. It was a very hard thing to do. Thank you so much for sharing your story and for your ministry. You are a constant source of inspiration.

  39. I think Satan torments us with fear. Reading out loud in the Psalms brings a calming spirit. Also, singing hymns of faith and praise helps. Giving thanks out loud for all things also helps me.
    Thanks for all you do.

  40. Lysa,

    Praise you for allowing our Saviour to speak His mighty, yet gentle wisdom through your work. It isn’t often that I dwell on my inadequacies as a parent, but recently, the reminders from the enemy have been nearly unending. It was so much easier when they were little … when they truly needed me – and all I needed to do to quiet their tears, their hurts, their pain, their fears, their insecurities, their failures … was to “love” the uglies away with kisses, hugs, holding, giggles, laughs and silly gestures that revealed to them that even moms didn’t have it all together … all of the time. All while loving them with the love of Jesus. Now that they are older, fighting for their own independence and choosing their own way instead of choosing The Master’s plan, they often believe that I am merely a hypocrite living in my “Godly world” that no man can live up to. On that point – they are correct. We cannot live this life on our own, for it is only through the Holy Spirit can we be purified and saved by The Saviour’s blood and grace. I want so badly to be able to comfort those precious souls again … for whether they are 3, 13, or 30 … they will forever be my little girl and boy. it’s disheartening when they reject the very core beliefs that were instilled within them … but I have left that mission open for The King of Kings. Blessings, praise and honor to you beautiful lady … and may you always walk in His light. xoxoxo

    In His grace and glory,
    ~Tami

    • Tami honey I am right there with you. I have the same feelings
      with my adult children 35, 30, 25 they will always be my babies
      yes NO matter how old they are, It hurts my heart so bad to see
      them making such bad choice. When they were not brought up
      the way they live. Youngest right now in jail and other stuff his
      name has been brought up in praying so hard for God to wake
      his Spirit and that is also frightening as I know what he could do.
      I do blame myself and think of it as punishment for me marrying
      and unsaved man. Even though he was saved after 15 years of
      marriage. We have been married 35 yrs but as four the last 5 years
      we had a bad experience in our church of 15 yrs and also our Pastor
      and my boss (church secretary) and friend was killed in a motorcycle
      accident. He has not been back to a church. So needless to so all
      relationships are stranded. Anyways I get a lot of fear and anxiety
      that tends to weigh on me also mostly my children.

  41. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. I sit here and cry reading this because it resonates so clearly with my fear right now…I’ve been repeating Isaiah 41:10 over and over and over…I will add this pray to it. Thank you for letting God speak through you to those that need to hear him.

  42. I love how these verses were fresh in your heart and mind. All the more reason to be in His word, as it speaks truth when we start to worry and doubt. I’m thankful that God understands our fear and worries and gave us so many scriptures to reassure us in our time of need.

  43. I have struggled with fear my entire life -?childhood and adulthood – and it’s something I want to overcome for the sake of myself and my kids. So thank you for this

    • yes, u r right there. i have had immense problems all my life but none could succed in hurting me physically or mentally and i am living ,75 yeras old though,
      All i do is go to the chuch once a week any day any time , hug mother MARY ,s statue and just say PL LOVE ME MORE THAN I LOVE YOU. PL LIVE INSIDE MY BODY AND PROTECT ME ALL THE TIME. that is it, i enjoy full protection always. i have no doubt about HER existance. she may not appear in person but she will in her actions .

  44. Whenever I struggle with fear I picture loving arms around me, a voice saying “I am here.” and I then see Visions from childhood Bible stories showing others who thought they were weak being shown GOD’s love.

  45. Thank you for opening up your life to share real circumstances in a real world where we can use God’s Word in real situations. You inspire me and bless me! Thank you.

  46. Thank you for sharing this story… I is always so comforting to know others go through the same fears as you do. My youngest daughter lives 4 hours away from home. (My oldest never left) so it has been an interesting challenge along the way. I can very much relate to those calls of fear from the “kid” and they are too far away to get to. I don’t know what I would do if I didn’t believe in God and know ultimately He is in charge!!

  47. Dear Lysa,

    I read your new children’s book, It Will Be Okay, to my great-granddaughter and she just loved it. She’s only three, but she loved the little fox and the little seed. I think she related because she is a small child. She, of course, took it home with her.

    I’ll have to get another on for our church.

    Thank you so much for your wisdom and insight, for your ability to put what people of all ages feel into words, and thank you for sharing that with us. I love everything you write!

    Love you,
    Barbara

  48. Thank you for this wonderful reminder that we can feel afraid but we don’t have to live afraid. God is not only with us but goes before us & stands behind & beside us in every situation.

  49. Thank you so much for sharing your story. Our 11 yr old granddaughter lives with us during school year. she has many fears and at times up during the night.
    With prayer and scripture and lots of hugging and holding we finally get her back to sleep.
    |Makes the next day edgy since we both of lost sleep. My God sees us through and I know without Him and His Words life would be unbearable/
    Thank you for sharing.
    God Bless

  50. God’s promises are intentional, and He always keeps His promises. There is a wonderful change that happens in my heart when I find a promise in the Bible, and renew my mind by speaking that promise aloud, over and over again. Somehow, the promise — and the peace it brings — grows larger and more real than the problem I face, and I can rest in that peace. God bless you and thank you for sharing your story with us.

  51. Thank you for your message. God never ceases to amaze me with His perfect timing. Your message was perfect! Thank you for allowing Him to use you in so many ways. Fear has been a struggle and thankfully we have His Word to see us through. I love picture books. Your book sounds like a must-have!

  52. My son goes to the University of Alabama, also.
    I received a scary call like that the next night after midnight. I had just watched your webcast on The Best Yes. You were talking about Ashley and giving her Psalm 91. When we got our call, I was able to give him that that Psalm. Now I know it was all in God’s plan. I wasn’t planning to watch your webcast that evening. I just came upon it and decided to watch on my iPad.
    My son is a Sophomore there now and just went to church for the 1st time in over a year. God truly does bring good out of bad things.
    Thank you for your help, Lysa!!!

  53. how wonderful it is to know and trust in God , to come to a complete dependance and surrender all to Him, 🙂 thank you !!

  54. “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

    “God is not just a quick refuge from the storm but He’s the place where fear no longer has access to me.”

    How did I never put this together? Thank you so much for sharing this today. The older your kids, the more precious this truth is…because, like you said, you can’t just run upstairs to comfort them.

  55. Psalm 91 is my go to verse when I am afraid. Every time I travelled, my mom would write down for me “For He will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways, they will lift you up in their hands so that you will not strike your foot against a stone”. Psalm 91:11-12. My mom is now in heaven, but I keep finding her written notes with that verse all over. One of my greatest memories of her

  56. Lysa, thank you! God put this on your heart to share, and I’m so very grateful. I’ve been struggling with fear and anxiety lately ~ trying to keep it from overwhelming me. The verses you shared are a powerful weapon against the evil one, who wants to keep me living in fear, not trusting our All-Powerful Loving God for safety and shelter. Thank you! Bless you!!

  57. Thank you for your post today. Just today I was so afraid my blood ran cold. I am learning how to do my husband’s dialysis treatment. I have to put large needles in his arm. Today when we were finishing treatment we got several alarms, saying his blood was leaking! I said out loud, God guide my thinking and help me do the right thing. I got it taken care of, got him off the dialyzer, and took his needles out. I was so scared that I felt like I was going to vomit. (Literally) husband is okay, I’m still a little shaken.
    Lisa

  58. Thank all of you who wrote about your battles with fear and how God has and is bringing you through it,I have panic attacks daily and I have been writeing down verces to stand on and to read to myself as I walk through the fear. God is Good and HIs mercys are new each morning and todays story also helped me. I praise God to know Im not alone in dealing with fear,but also to know God is healing us together as we learn to lean and trust in Him.God bless each of you and thank youfor each word of encouragement today.In Jesus Name…thank you

  59. Dear Lysa, thank you for providing me with encouragement tonight. I’m going through a storm of life currently, and many times during my day, I’m struck with so much anxiety that I can’t think clearly. It is deeply comforting to know that God is there to shield me from the fear I face. Admittedly, I’ll have to say that I can;t imagine why He wants to provide and protect me of all people, but with each passing day I’m try to reaffirm that I’m important to Him. Love your blog tremendously.

  60. We are so Blessed to have you here to share with us and have your books to read. Thank you for doing all you do and bless you. Fear Is so hard for me and has held me back in so many ways I really needed that. I am a Jesus girl I was once told by a pt I had that all our lives we let life live us it’s not till were faced with losing life that we learn to live life and enjoy it. I’m not going to let fear take it away anymore. Again thank you for being you.

  61. Lysa,
    I attended the Women of Faith event tonight in Orlando and heard your story about your son Jackson. Loved hearing your honesty about home schooling. I also noticed your gold leaf necklace. It made me think of the devotional I just wrote about “Fallen” (an analogy about how we too like leaves often fall with our prettiest side hidden). Thank you for your ministry. Bless you tonight!
    -Kathy/Orlando, FL

  62. God knew I needed to see this and I Thank you so much for sharing this. Fear is something I go through daily and the feelings sometimes suffocate me to the point where I have to stop myself and cry out to God for relief. From I was young I imagined all kind of things bad happening. With a son now driving I am constantly on my knees as my worries have reached the limits. My father always told me to read Psalm 91 every day. I have put that into practice on a daily basis as well as Psalm 27 “The Lord is my light and my salvation whom shall I fear.” Satan knows I struggle with this and taunts me daily BUT then I hear that still small voice in my spirit “Be still and know that I am God. God says “Fear not for I am with you.” If only my mind would get that but day by day with God’s love I am able.

  63. Thank you so much for using your life to bless ours! Your posts, your books, your words encourage my heart. Thank you for sharing God’s word with us, so that we can apply it in times of need. Indeed God is a refuge and strength ever present. I praise Him for the storms He has brought me through. May God continue to use your words to touch our hearts and help us know Him better.

  64. This was a blessing to me today as I continue my struggle with anxiety, especially in regards to my 5 year old daughter. Thank you for sharing!

  65. Wow!! God is good!! I have read all the life stories and I pray that God helps us and protects us from these fears we all have. It actually holds us up and prevent us from experiencing Gods best for us I believe. I am afraid of mostly driving especially places I don’t know and that are far away. I m afraid of driving in the snow too and at night especially when it is raining. Afraid of being alone. I find it hard to trust people. I m afraid to even join small groups. I wish my church had bible study at the church instead of people’s home. With the same token I get very needy I depend on others to drive me places I dont know so I become people pleasing. Its a horrible way to live. I want to be independent and confident in myself. I want to trust God in every way I want to please Jesus everyday but I find myself disappointing him and I get upset with myself. Thank you for sharing and for explaining “refuge” and “fortress”. I will learn to mediate on scriptures. God bless you and thanks so much.

  66. Hi, I love the art in these emails. It reminds me how wonderfully art can express our relationship with God. It also can help us release negative emotions and pain so God can heal them.

    It also encourages me to return to my creativity to express the joy of the Lord.

    Thank you, Laurel

  67. Thank you for this, I have been there too. Here is another verse I came across recently
    ” But when I am afraid, I put my trust in you. O God, I praise your word. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?” Psalm 56: 3-4

  68. John 14:27 helps me so much. I want the peace Jesus give-the peace that passes all understanding. Thank you so much for your testimony with every post. Thank you for your witness-it helps more than you know.

  69. He Is Our Shelter in the time of a Storm…..He is my Rock and my Foundation…He is Jehovah Jireh…Our Provider…..He is my Healer, He is God All by Himself…stand, be still and be amazed at what God Can and Will Do.

  70. Thank you for the reminder. We just moved 600 miles, won’t be in our new home for a week, (moving 9 people), and when the movers came Thursday the cost doubled from their estimate. My husband doesn’t have a job yet, and we don’t know where the extra money is coming from. I can only trust JESUS. Please pray for our family.

    • MIchelle,

      Prayers for you and your family! May God raise up people to come along side you and help out during these trying times! Prayers for peace and comfort that only God can provide!!

  71. Michelle my family is going through the same thing. I know our God has a plan and all He asks is that we trust Him. It’s hard but the alternative is harder. If we could do it all alone we would not need a Savior. I will pray for you and your family. He who sows in tears will reap with joy. He will not allow His children to wander without His watching over us. His banner over us is love!!

    • Loretta,

      Prayers for you and your family! May God raise up people to come along side you and help out during these trying times! Prayers for peace and comfort that only God can provide!!

  72. I now have 4 kids away. Three in college/university. 4 or 5 years ago daughter #3 began a practice of coming to my bedside after lights out with her daily concerns. I learned to listen, acknowledge and then pray. Now she will text or call and I rexpect that practiced behavior. The sleepless nights are forgotten, while all my children know Mom is just a prayer away.By HIS mercy and grace each day. Thank you

  73. Lysa,

    I had a time years ago when fear gripped me. I was dating someone I met online. We had done 2 dates and he invited me over to his house for dinner. I accepted after much thinking and was nervous even driving to his house. God in His infinite wisdom did a miracle for me. I had the radio on in the car and a few inches on the road the song playing was “God is in Control”. The chorus was playing and I loudly screamed those words into the air. Right then all the fear left me and I felt at ease. It was like God sending me a message that it will be fine tonight!

    God works His wonders in mysterious ways. BTW I married that man 10 years ago and we still live in that house!!

    Blessings 🙂

  74. I love the words you used, “imperfect progress.” A refuge and fortress was beautifully conveyed to my weary soul as I have battled fear. It is so crazy how we can turn not wanting to be afraid into another insurmountable fear. A fear of not being able to stop being afraid. Thank God for truth.

  75. It is good that you and your family are close to the Lord. I am older now and only beginning my relationship with God. My daughter is grown and lives alone in a big city. I am concerned for her safety and she does not have a close relationship with God. I pray He will watch over her and keep her safe and guide her into a relationship with Him.

  76. I feel that the Holy Spirit led me to turn on my computer before going for a walk.
    Lo and behold your website jumped out at me. Truly the Lord knows just what
    we need. We can be afraid but ought not to live in fear. You hit the nail on the head
    “He hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power…” True, it is easier said than
    done. This holds true of all God’s promises. We have to trust, and like the woman
    when her faith was failing, said to Jesus “help thou my unbelief”. You see, we walk
    by faith, and when we feel our faith is at a low point, we too have to cry out “help
    thou my unbelief, in other words, strengthen my faith”. As Lisa reminds us “He is
    our refuge and fortress”. I was speaking to one of my sons, voicing my fear of my
    youngest son who is 35, still at home, working only part-time (afraid of letting go
    of this job, although our expenses are borne by me alone). He was just starting
    college when his father (my husband) died, and went through everything alone (me
    having to go tend to my dying mother for four yrs). After four years, I’ve decided to
    give up the apartment and let him figure out how to chart his own course. He is a
    good boy and has good intentions. Well, I need to exercise my faith really and truly.
    I have shared my Christianity with him (he says he is blessed- we live the Christian
    life- thats all he knows) but since he works weekends he cannot go to church now.
    So yes. Fear was taking over in a big way today, but your words jolted me to life.
    I join with your many readers to thank you for a very timely reminder! Praise God!
    May you be constantly blessed, strengthened, uplifted and empowered by God.

  77. We once had a very loud banging on our front door at 3 in the morning. By the time we got to the door nobody was there. But it had also woken up a neighbour and she told us it was the police. We sat in silence for a few minutes and then made the call expecting the worse because all 3 of our daughters were not home. Then the police receptionist said “the officer is very sorry but he had the wrong address”. What a relief and I think the receptionist was expecting us to yell at her but we said good-bye hugged each other and went back to bed to try to get some sleep. .

  78. Dear Lysa,
    I love all that you do. Your writings through Proverbs 31 ministries have helped change my life and challenge my faith. I’ve been in some dark valleys for a long time now. When I feel I have a break more heavy & painful trials hit hard. Like I’m out in the ocean trying to swim back to shore and one wave after another knocks me down to the floor. I’ve had that happen literally and I was scared, but in life when it happens figuratively it’s far scarier. Thank you for this blog post. You have uplifted me tonight. My dream is to one day hear you speak, but a bigger dream I have is to one day follow in your shoes and write a book, and become a speaker to people who hurt, have been hurt, or need someone to know they’re loved. I’ve witnessed a lot of hurt before working in urban ministries before I got sick and I know God is using this trying period for a bigger purpose in mind. As He has in the past, He walks with me through it all. Thank you for living such an awesome Christ like example and sharing it with others worldwide.

  79. Thank you Lysa for sharing.
    All your writings, stories, and devotionals have been such a blessing in my life. I have an 18 year old and I have learned that putting her in our heavently father’s hand is the best a parent can do. I have learned to entrust God with everything in my life and he is faithful. The verse you shared is a verse I often share with her when she has fears and it has blessed her.
    Thank you again for all you share it is wonderful to know we have such Godly woman out in our world.
    You are a great example. God Bless you

  80. Dear Lysa,
    Thank you so much for your words/Scripture on fear – fear is something I struggle with frequently. I find myself reciting Scripture claiming God as my Dread Champion and Mighty Warrior frequently (Jer 29:11) but I have never thought about Psa 91:1-2. He is my Refuge and Fortress, I know this. Now I will add these powerful Words to my armor. Thank you so much!

  81. Thank you for being fearless and sharing your walk with us. I’m so thankful you say “yes” many times over. It gives me strength to do the same, to see a living example of our living G_d.

  82. Thank you for sharing this story and posting on fear. Fear has been a topic God has put on my heart a lot lately. With all the things this world gives us to fear, especially lately, I am so glad I serve a God who has conquered fear and given us authority over it. It is a topic that I try to speak to my children about often. I want them to know God and be able to stand firm on his word and promises, as I do, especially when they are in a situation of fear and I am not there to comfort and protect them. Your blog has been a great resource for my everyday walk in Christ and how to begin that foundation in my children.

  83. Thank you so much for encouraging. I Love psalm 91. I find comfort every single time I read it. Keep on doing the work of the Lord for God’s people.Thank you for sharing.

  84. Thank you, Lysa, for sharing this experience – my heart was blessed. It’s wonderful how the Holy Spirit reminded you of what God had already given that week (Ps. 91: 1-2). God, in His great love and faithfulness, provides for us ahead of time; but whenever He provides, it’s always at the right time! And praise God for the beautiful insight regarding “fortress”! Yes, our Heavenly Father, takes care of His children, reassuring and comforting us with His Word, which is not bound by distance, and which commands the wind and waves in our lives.

    Not only do we have access to this fortress through Jesus, but wonderfully, He Himself is our fortress! I love how the writer of Psalm 71 rejoices, “…You are my rock and my fortress” (v.3). And thanks be to Jesus that He came into this broken world, to save us, to renew us, to lift us, to teach us to live pleasing to God, to help us…

    I rejoiced to find that others have discovered the treasure of some of my favorite Bible Verses. Thank you for also sharing testimonies in comments. God bless you!

  85. Hi Lysa—I appreciate your ministry. As a single mom, raising a teenage daughter (15 years old) I am constantly up on my toes. I was so concerned of her safety (she stays home alone after school) that I installed a GPS on her phone. Reading this gave me a deep sense of comfort that God keeps us safe. I like what you said that “God is not just a quick refuge from the storm but He’s the place where fear no longer has access to me.”
    Thank you and may God bless you more!

  86. Thank you for the awesome & anointed sharing. I enjoyed & am really blessed reading them. May you continue to use the gifts that God has given you to shine for His Glory. Shalom