What are we afraid of mostly? We're afraid of getting hurt. At the bottom of it all, we want to avoid harm.

The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade. The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night. The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever. Psalm 121:5-8.

What if that was really true, really truly true? What if God really did keep you from all harm? If He kept you from damage, loss, or pain. Sometimes it's hard to believe those verses because on the surface they don't seem completely true. I have definitely suffered damage, loss, and pain in varying degrees, before and after I became a Christian, so how can I believe the truth of those words?

I have no alternative. When I am faced with damage, loss, or pain I have only these choices.

I can protect myself. I can observe the situation and set up agreements never to let it happen again. I can change attitudes, habits and ideals to maintain this protection. I can avoid circumstances that might lead that way again...

OR

I can trust God with what has happened. I can affirm His sovereignity over every situation and His love for me that is bigger than any damage, loss, or pain. I can read and pray the truth of these scriptures and let Him have His way. I can cling to Him...

I have learned to choose the second way. The problem with the first way is that it pins us down, and shackles us, and restricts us and burdens us with rules. It feels safer because it puts us in control but no matter what we do we can't control everything. God can.

When I choose the second way I give God permission to protect me from all harm. I choose not to protect myself. I allow Him to do what He has promised. It takes faith, but it releases God to show His love for me. When we protect ourselves we can only prevent the same harmful thing recurring. When we let God protect He not only can prevent recurrence but He can heal the pain, restore the damage, and return the loss 10 times over.

God does not allow any harm He cannot turn to blessing and He is always in control. He does keep you from all harm because nothing is impossible for Him to heal, restore, or return. Harm will come but with Him harm is turned to blessing.