Safety is no doubt high on many people’s priority list. We see others willingly spend large amounts of money on gadgets and services designed to keep them safe. Many industries were established from fears of the perceived dangers around us; despite all our precautions, however, anxiety and worry persist over how we can protect and secure ourselves. To be perfectly safe in every aspect, we must trust God in this area.

Some people are so worried about what they see around them that they’re almost afraid to go to sleep at night. Being negatively affected by disturbing images we see on the nightly news can work against us and prevent us from enjoying peace of mind. By comparison, those who rely on God’s promise of safety can rest easy. “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O LORD, will keep me safe” (Psalm 4:8, NLT). God loves us, and it’s not His will that we live in fear.

There’s nothing wrong with using common sense to stay safe, as long as we remember that God is the one who is ultimately responsible for our safety when we trust Him. Some people may see trusting God as a weakness; it actually makes us stronger and more secure than others who don’t trust Him. There’s no one like God, and no one else has capabilities like His. “…For I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me” (Isaiah 46:9). When we face a scary situation that looks big to us, we can have confidence that God is bigger and more powerful.

The world thinks it’s absurd to have faith in God; therefore, having faith that He’ll keep us safe sets us apart from everyone else. When others are frightened and in turmoil, we’re at peace and at ease. “Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces” (Psalm 122:7). To prosper is to have success in every area of our lives, including in our safety. No evil can touch us when we completely believe this.

Being in constant dread of something bad happening allows this negative feeling to affect our entire perspective and take away our hope. We can feel discouraged, and our outlook on life can be gloomy. Everyone has a need to feel safe in their own personal space; we can feel very uneasy if that space is threatened. With God, Himself, watching over us, this isn’t an issue. “You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety” (Job 11:18, NIV).

This rest from worry is very important to God. Total reliance on Him guarantees our peace, no matter what we see going on around us. Others who rely on their own efforts to stay safe may still feel fearful and anxious deep down inside. God prevents all enemies from harming us. “But now the LORD my God hath given me rest on every side, so that there is neither adversary nor evil occurrent” (1 Kings 5:4).

There’s plenty of fear in the world, but fear isn’t from God. We never have to be afraid when we let God surround us with His perfect protection. “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27). Trusting in His Word on this gives us much-needed relief from all safety concerns.