Never Alone

“..For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”  So we may boldly say:“ The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”   Hebrews 13:5


A few years ago I moved to Atlanta.  Although I had a handful of friends there, I was still moving there alone. With no job in sight, limited resources I was relocating to a new city and doing practically everything all by myself.  Every day was an adventure of faith.  

Often I would feel homesick and lonely.  I missed my friends, my city, but must of all I missed my family, my daughter and my crazy mixed up family that always there when I needed them. Although I often felt alone, I never gave into the spirit of fear that was constantly tormenting me with tempting thoughts of returning home. 

During this time I got into the habit of reminding myself that I was never alone.  God was with me.  When I would drive down the dark country roads, I would sing to myself “Emmanuel, God is with me.”  This little song would keep my heart and mind focused on the fact that God, my Heavenly Father was ever present with me.  Constantly singing this simple melody throughout the day filled my heart with confidence of God’s presence and it didn’t allow fearful thoughts to paralyze me in the face of challenging situations. 

Whenever a negative thought would cross my mind, I would immediately begin to sing out loud.  “Emmanuel, God is with me.  Emmanuel, God is with me.” Sometimes it took seconds, other times minutes and many times several minutes, but the fear would always flee and courage would always come.  And I do mean always.  There was not one time when I was alone, in an unfamiliar setting or dealing with an uncomfortable situation that the peace of God and his grace did not calm my heart. Not one time.  

The word of God is “I will not fear what can man do unto me.”  ​