God is always near us. Always for us. Always in us. We may forget him, but God will never forget us.

First thought of the morning, last worry of the night—your Goliath dominates your day and infiltrates your joy.

When are you most afraid? When the teacher hands out the test? When the popular people walk your way? When you think about the future? Even in your most fearful moments, Jesus is with you, offering a peace you can't find anywhere else.

Feeling fearful about tomorrow? Do like the disciples—spend time with Jesus. Talk to him. Read his words. Reflect on his life and love for you. He has power and strength like none other, and he's more than willing to share some with you.

You wanted to know how you'll make it on your own?" Manny asked as the sights and sounds of the lush Jerusalem garden gave way to the sterile hospital chapel. "You'll never know. Because you never will be.

Oversize and rude, fear is unwilling to share the heart with happiness. Happiness complies and leaves. Do you ever see the two together? Can one be happy and afraid at the same time? Clear thinking and afraid? Confident and afraid? Merciful and afraid? No.

But for me, I am anot afraid, because the worst thing that could happen is getting to see my Father eye to eye.

As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. (Genesis 50:20 NASB)

Lay claim to the nearness of God. Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you (Heb. 13.5 NIV).

Ponder this the next time your world goes from calm to chaos… . Jesus knows how you feel.

Remember, God is in this crisis. Ask him to give you an index card—sized plan, two or three steps you can take today.

Bloodstains, tearstains are everywhere. Joseph's heart was rubbed raw against the rocks of disloyalty and miscarried justice. Yet time and time again God redeemed the pain. The torn robe became a royal one. The pit became a palace. The broken family grew old together. The very acts intended to destroy God's servant turned out to strengthen him.