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 uphold you with my victorious right hand. - Isaiah 41: 10
Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. - Isaiah 43: 1
The Lord called me before I was born, while I was in my mother’s womb he named me. - Isaiah 49:1
See, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me. - Isaiah 49:16
These are some of my favorite passages in Scripture, because when I wonder if God has any idea who I am, read together they remind me that, indeed, God created me and named me, and has actually written me on the palm of His hand, which all feels very personal. I am not just a number. God knows me. I don't concern myself with the theology of the verses, their historical context, etc. Rather, I am simply comforted by the words.
As a mother, I have been known to worry about my daughters, and when I do, these verses remind me that God also created them and holds them very close. When I find myself deeply concerned for them or someone else I love, and I am struggling fiercely to "Let Go and Let God", I have a visualization practice that helps me. I imagine myself holding that person in my own cupped hands. I then imagine sliding that person into God's outstretched hands-in a pocket that has their name on it. This never fails to relieve most of my anxiety. If my anxiety returns, as it often does, I do the visualization exercise again. In this way, I recognize my own powerlessness and turn the person over to the One who actually has the power.
Nothing to Fear - Porter's Gate featuring Audrey Assad