The Myth of Safety

09/11/24 • 4 min

1 Listener

READ: PSALMS 31:20; 62:6-8; JUDE 1:1, 20-21; 2 TIMOTHY 4:18

It’s hard to feel safe. Since the attacks of September 11, 2001, many of us have grown up with an awareness of terrorism and the need for precautions like metal detectors at airports and large events. Just in case.

Maybe you’ve grown up knowing you could get bullied, jumped, or shot at in school, and that it’s best to always be aware of your surroundings and where the exit routes are. Just in case.

You may have learned it’s not safe to talk to strangers, or to be female or an ethnic minority walking alone at night, or to leave your phone location settings turned on. Just in case.

Between stories of violent romantic and family relationships, and the increasing prevalence of mental health concerns that can make us feel like even our own minds might not be a safe place, safety itself can feel like a myth.

That grieves the heart of God. He created us for safety in relationships, with each other and with Him. After all, in the Garden of Eden Adam and Eve were able to live and work entirely naked, completely open with each other and with God, without fear of being victimized, mocked, or sinned against, without fear of judgment, awkwardness, or feeling unworthy (Genesis 2:25). They did not know what it was to hide from creation or Creator.

That’s the kind of safety God wants us to experience in His presence now (Romans 8:1)! He wants us to openly share our struggles, passions, flaws, insecurities, questions, and doubts with Him. And He wants us to create communities of safety for each other—that’s what the church is for! Though the Bible rarely promises us physical safety (John 16:33; 15:18-21; Romans 8:35-39), the presence of Jesus is the one place we can know we are eternally safe from everything the devil throws at us (2 Timothy 4:18), and we can invite His presence into every moment and every relationship of our lives. • Abigail Aswegen

• Can you think of a time you felt safe with another person? What was that like?

• Have you ever experienced feeling safe in the presence of God? You can ask God for this anytime.

• In what ways can we help the people around us feel safe, and also invite them to experience true safety in Christ? If you think you might be in an unsafe relationship or situation, or if you’re struggling with your mental health, who is a trusted adult you could talk to today?

[Jesus prayed,] “I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one.” John 17:15 (NLT)

READ: PSALMS 31:20; 62:6-8; JUDE 1:1, 20-21; 2 TIMOTHY 4:18

Maybe you’ve grown up knowing you could get bullied, jumped, or shot at in school, and that it’s best to always be aware of your surroundings and where the exit routes are. Just in case.

You may have learned it’s not safe to talk to strangers, or to be female or an ethnic minority walking alone at night, or to leave your phone location settings turned on. Just in case.

• Can you think of a time you felt safe with another person? What was that like?

• Have you ever experienced feeling safe in the presence of God? You can ask God for this anytime.

[Jesus prayed,] “I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one.” John 17:15 (NLT)

Previous Episode

Once More

READ: PSALM 13; ISAIAH 41:9-13; 2 CORINTHIANS 1:3-11

Stuck in this grief

I feel like You can’t see

But You lift me up

You comfort me, once more

Eyes fill with tears

Start to think of all my fears

But You stop those thoughts

You give me peace, once more

Feeling all alone

Wondering where to go

But You give direction

You hold my hand, once more

Pain is too great

Feel like I might break

But You keep me together

You show me love, once more • Bethany Acker

• Can you think of a time God helped you when you were hurting? Maybe He provided comfort, peace, direction, strength, or a reminder of His love. Consider taking a moment to remember and thank God for this.

• Whenever we’re hurting, Jesus can truly empathize with us in our pain and turmoil because He experienced it firsthand (Mark 14:33-34). He is not some far-off, distant god; He is God in human flesh. He came and lived among us, ultimately suffering the cross for us because of how greatly He loves us. Then He rose from the dead, so now everyone who puts their trust in Him is brought near to God and has the sure hope of eternal life with Him. One day there will be no more death or grief or crying or pain (Revelation 21:1-5). Until that day, sometimes it can feel like we’re all alone in our pain and uncertainty, but Jesus is right there with us, ready to help us. Consider taking some time to be honest with Jesus about whatever you’re struggling with today.

• One of the primary ways God helps His people, is through His people. If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by grief or fear, who is a trusted adult you could talk to? If you need someone to talk to, you can request a free conversation with Focus on the Family’s Counseling Department by calling 1-855-771-HELP (4357) weekdays from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Mountain Time). Please be prepared to leave your contact information for a counselor to return a call to you as soon as possible. In Canada, book your appointment by calling 1-800-661-9800 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (Pacific Time) and ask to speak with the care associate.

Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 (CSB)

Next Episode

Peace in an Earthquake

READ: ISAIAH 54:7-14; JOHN 16:33; ROMANS 8:31-39

Eight centuries before Christ’s birth, a Hebrew girl clung to her mother’s leg. Rumors of war loomed over Judah like an ominous raincloud. The ruthless Assyrians pressed against the northern border. Could Judah’s towns withstand an attack? Northern tribes had already fallen.

The little girl’s future looked uncertain; at any moment her life might crumble to pieces. Her community gathered around to hear the words of the prophet Isaiah, hoping for any promise of God’s deliverance. The girl lifted her head when she heard: “‘Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken, nor my covenant of peace be removed,’ says the LORD, who has compassion on you.”

God didn’t promise immediate deliverance from the chaos. The mountains could shake, the hills may disappear—but even in an uncertain world, His unfailing love will prevail.

Eight centuries later, God-in-the-flesh announced that the promise of this coming peace was fulfilled in Him. But first, His followers would grieve. Though Jesus will surely renew creation and all who belong to Him will live with Him forever, until that day He said the world will bring troubles, but He has already prevailed (John 16:33).

When uncertainty and dread overwhelm us, what do we look to for relief? Often, we blame God for not easing our burdens. Or we take the burden on ourselves to do better, try harder—and then we beat ourselves up when things don’t turn out as we hoped. But Jesus says, “Take heart!” (John 16:33). The peace of God never depended on our strength, but on God’s unfailing love which can never be shaken. Even when the earth shakes beneath us, God’s covenant of peace steadies us. • Shannon Smith

• Isaiah spoke of God’s judgement on His people—how enemy nations would conquer them and take them into exile because of the people’s stubborn rebellion and sin. Yet Isaiah also spoke of a promised Rescuer—Immanuel, “God with us” (Isaiah 7:14). He would take upon Himself the punishment for the sins of the people. He would die, but then live again, justifying all who turn to Him and bringing peace to the whole world. Have you ever thought about what it might’ve been like for the people who lived during Isaiah’s time in the Old Testament? When we face trouble, how could it bring us hope to remember God’s promises, especially in light of what we now know from the New Testament about how these promises are fulfilled in Jesus?

“My unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed.” Isaiah 54:10 (NIV)