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Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God Isaiah 41:10

The world broils with conflict. Can you imagine living in Israel with rockets lobbed into your neighborhood at random times? Or, in Gaza, where the country is being reduced to rock and rubble? Or in Ukraine, where soldiers rot entrenched in freezing fox holes. They fight a war nobody wants, none but a lone madman in Moscow. Where does peace come from?

Yes, chaos reigns in the world. Twenty-two veterans a day commit suicide. Three of the leading causes of death among teenagers are accidents, homicide, and suicide. The United States records close to seven hundred thousand divorces per year. Bad news abounds, but good news is on the way.

People are searching for peace, the antidote to fear. They are fearful about their future, finances, and families. But we do not find peace in financial security, nor is it found in political consensus. We find peace in a person and his name is Jesus, the Prince of Peace.

Over a billion people have downloaded the free Bible App, YouVersion, as they seek to learn more from the Word of God. What are these billion people looking for? In three of the last four years, the most common search on this app is not for scriptures relating to success, prosperity, or healing. The most frequent search is “Fear not, for I am with thee.”

Jesus said in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” Peace is a gift Christ wants to give you. He wants to give it to us far more than we will ask for it. We have not because we ask not.

The Lord’s presence conveys peace to us. According to Isaiah 43:5 God said, “Fear not, for I am with you.” Fear has no foundation in reality. We fear what might happen. We have no reason to fear because God is with us. He is with us in Florida. God is with people in Israel, Ukraine, Syria, and Gaza. He is for us and not against us. The sunlight of His favor is shining on us if we will but open our eyes to see it.

I remember my ex-wife once said I dressed like a Walmart mannequin. That is to say, bland and blase, lacking style. One of the church members once referred to me as “Robo-pastor” because, no matter what happened, I kept going about my duties. I prided myself on not reacting to circumstances emotionally. Clearly, I needed God’s work in my heart.

Following my divorce in 2005, I imagined my future, dying alone and uncared for. The thought terrified me and left me depressed. When I attended worship, I would weep uncontrollably. It was embarrassing. Long suppressed emotions were boiling over.

My circumstances shattered my life and my peace. I left a church service in San Antonio because I could not control my feelings. The Lord whispered into my heart, you are angry with Me. You thought your life, family, and future were secure, but you trusted the wrong things. Will you trust Me now?

I turned away from my anger and self-justification. God’s presence pervaded my heart and began restoring my life. This peace came from the Lord.

God’s presence guarantees His peace. The remedy to fear and insecurity rests on faith in God’s faithfulness. Healing for broken emotions flows in God’s presence. Will you trust God’s presence to guide your life? Turning to the Lord builds a barrier against depression, worry, and anxiety. Ask for His peace to flow into your heart.