Week 30: No fear in midlife
- cindystumme
- Sep 14
- 5 min read
A reflection on Psalm 46 and how God is greater than the troubles we encounter in midlife.
Living in an age where everyone has a video camera in their pocket has its advantages: We can instantly record and archive the best experiences of our lives and share them with our friends and family. I regularly receive videos of my grandkids trying new things and being unbearably cute.
But there's a definite downside, too. People record and post the scariest stuff, and once you see it, you are responsible for worrying about it for the rest of your life: new fear unlocked!
I recommend you don't search on #newfearunlocked, especially if you are not fond of spiders and insects. But the reality is we can find a lot to be afraid of in this world with its 24/7 news cycle and easy access to videos of the scary experiences of billions of people around the world. There is no shortage of fears, old or new, to crowd out the truths of God's Word from our hearts and minds. But wait! Psalm 46 lists some significantly terrifying circumstances that you may not have thought of recently:
Mountains sliding into oceans
Seas raging
Earthquakes
National unrest and the destruction of civilizations
Earth melting
Desolation
Any new fears unlocked? And while we are discussing fears, go ahead and make a mental list of the fears you are dealing with right now and add them to the psalmist's list. If we are honest about where we are right now in terms of world events, culture, and personal circumstances, we can find plenty of things to fear.
But are any of our fears too big for God to handle? The psalmist tells us that even in the midst of our fears, there is a place of security in the presence of God. He describes this place of safety as God's own city, Jerusalem, where God's presence is portrayed as a river that winds in and about the city, making it secure and impregnable:
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
The holy dwelling places of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns.
Psalm 46:4-5, NASB
I certainly don't live in a city like that. In fact, the crime situation in my city is on my list of personal fears. But because I believe in Jesus Christ, the dwelling place of God is within me! And the Holy Spirit flows through everyone who is saved. In fact, Jesus used the same imagery we find in Psalm 46 when He described the ministry of the Holy Spirit:
"He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said,
'From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.'"
But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive . . ."
(John 7:38-39b, NASB).
I find this incredible. As a believer, I may not live in a city or country where God's protection and power flow. Instead, His protection and power flow in and through me. No matter where I go or what happens around me, God is with me, God is helping me, and God is strengthening me. Therefore, I do not need to fear. Better yet, I resolve that I will not fear! And when I sense fear creeping in, I will remind myself:
The LORD of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our stronghold.
Psalm 46:7 and 11, NASB
Psalm 46 powerfully addresses the distressing realities of life. But it sets them against the power, love, and sovereignty of God so we can clearly see which is greater. Which one is winning the battle for your heart and mind, friend? Fear? Or faith in God's sovereign power over this sin-snared world? God wants us to look to Him with courage and confidence regardless of the challenges we face.
Author's note: I'm writing this post on Sunday, September 14, 2025, recognized in the US and internationally as Suicide Awareness month. In the last four weeks, our country has experienced school shootings ending in the suicide of the shooter in both Minnesota and Colorado, the horrendous murder of Iryna Zarutska on a train in North Carolina, and the assassination of Charlie Kirk in Utah. On Thursday last week, we took time to remember the 2,977 who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, an event that inspired Americans to stand shoulder-to-shoulder in defense of our way of life, a defense that cost many of our military fammilies so very dearly. But today, instead of becoming unified in solidarity against such violence, our nation is more polarized and divided than ever. I don't remember a time in my life when I have had more reasons to live in fear than I do right now. But I also have more reason than ever to hope: I have seen and experienced God's faithfulness in my life for over 50 years and I believe what He says in His Word. He is our refuge and strength, and He will be exalted over all the evil that plagues our world. "Cease striving and know that I am God . . ." (Psalm 46:10, NASB).
Daily Readings and Reflections:
Monday’s Reading: Psalm 46
Make a quick list of five things you are fearing right now in this season of midlife. Then, read through Psalm 46 slowly and prayerfully. Ask God to help you see His sovereignty over your life and ask Him to help you know that He is God. Choose one phrase from this psalm to use as a prayer when your mind begins to dwell on your fears. I chose "The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold."
Tuesday’s Reading: Psalm 49
Do you ever feel like the people who are doing the worst things are also having the most success? Read this Psalm for a perspective change. What is the outcome for every human being according to Psalm 49? What does the psalmist say will be different for him when he dies? Can you say the same for yourself with confidence? If not, click here to learn how you can know Jesus as your Savior and spend eternity with Him when you come to the end of your life.
Wednesday’s Reading: Deuteronomy 31:1-8
What did Moses tell the people and Joshua that God would do in these verses? What were Moses's instructions to the people and Joshua? Read over your list of midlife fears and ask God to help you visualize the promises in this passage surrounding you as you walk through your fears. How would following God faithfully as Moses instructed help you to walk more confidently through your midlife years?
Thursday’s Reading: John 14:25-27
In these verses, Jesus is describing the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of everyone who believes in Jesus for salvation. What does verse 26 say the Holy Spirit will do for us? How does the work of the Holy Spirit help you experience the peace of Christ described in verse 27?
Friday’s Reading: 1 John 4
Read through this chapter, then reread verse 4. How does this verse speak diectly to your midlife fears? What is the main characteristic of real faith in God according to this chapter? How can you apply the love of God to the people and situations which cause you fear in midlife?
Weekend Reading: 2 Timothy 1:7-14
What is Paul telling Timothy to be bold about in this passage? (Hint: the answer is in verse 8.) What is the role of the Holy Spirit found in verses 7 and 14? How might power, love and discipline help you be a witness for Christ in midlife? Pray and ask God to empower you through the Holy Spirit to share the gospel with those God brings into your path.
Want to read more Bible verses about knowing Jesus Christ as Savior? Here's a good place to start:
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