Refuge In A Name

 

The first time I had an anxiety or panic attack was a few days after the birth of my first child. I woke from a thin sleep with a horrible sense of doom. Chills ran across my scalp and skin from head to toe. My heart raced and my breathing was short. I felt as if my stomach “dropped” as if I had stepped into an empty space from a high place, like the sudden drop of an elevator. I was absolutely terrified but could discern no reason at all to justify my fear. This panic attack was the first of what became a regular occurrence for me over the next few years and continuing to the present day. Men and women the world over suffer panic attacks every day.

Have you ever been in a situation where you felt exposed to imminent harm, even if there was no apparent threat that you could see? Maybe some sense warned you that something was not quite right with your location or that someone around the area was a danger. I think all of us have had uneasy moments like that when a cold touch trickled down our spines and set our senses screaming in alarm. Though we cannot see or always sense things in the spiritual realm, the Bible plainly tells us that a spiritual battle is constantly being fought around us and in our midst.

Ephesians 6:12 tells us, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

When we have these moments of alarm or fear, whether the reason is apparent and understandable or invisible and unknown, the solution is the same. We look for safety, a place to hide, or a defender to protect us. All of these can be found in exactly the same place: the Lord God Jehovah. He is our rock, our shelter, our hiding place, and our shield. He is our refuge in any time of stress or trial. 

Psalms 119:114 “You are my hiding place and my shield.”

Psalms 32:7 “You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.”

Proverbs 18:10 “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe.”

No matter what terrifying entities we encounter during our walk on earth, we have no need to fear. God is bigger than anything that seeks to harm us. He is bigger than any human bully. He is bigger than any hidden demon. He is bigger than any illness. Yes, he is even bigger than the imaginary fear and panic created in our own minds. 

2 Timothy 1:7 “For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

Some of us who experience anxiety or panic attacks may feel weak, or mentally defective somehow, but the truth is they are most likely spiritual attacks by the enemy. The good news is that no matter the real or imagined danger we are facing, we are not at the mercy of fear or anxiety. We have a hiding place and a shield. We just have to seek it. How do we find it? We call His name. His name is a refuge for all who seek Him. Though we may be unable to find the words to ask for help, all we need to do is call His name: Jesus. Just the name of Jesus has the power to send Satan and every single demon back to hell and away from us. Jesus has already won the battle for us. We just have to believe in Him and his victory on the cross and the power of His name. 

Dear Father,

We worship you for the mighty power of your love and for the loving sacrifice of your son, Jesus. Because of your faithfulness and promises, we know that we never need to fear anything in this world again. You are a strong tower of refuge and a hiding place from the enemy. Calling your name will bring you and a legion of angels. Please help us, Lord to trust you with our physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual safety. We love you and need you, Father.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

Karen Butler Ogle