By Jana Carlson
“I’m afraid we’re not going to survive this,” I confided to my friend.
Our family was in the midst of a tsunami of adversity, and I was desperate for something to change. My body felt on the verge of collapse after enduring months of unrelenting anxiety.
As every aspect of our lives seemed to crumble, I knew God was a solid rock on which I could stand. I devoured His Word like it was my “daily bread,” but I struggled to reconcile my reality with the promises I read.
If God is a shield, why do we seem defeated by this onslaught?
If God is a refuge, why do I feel so exposed in the storm?
If God’s a mighty fortress, why am I so shaken?
Through a deep dive into Psalm 91, I discovered the peace I longed for isn’t found in the absence of a battle, but in the presence of a Protector.
3 Ways to Find Peace In God When Your World Falls Apart
We can experience unshakeable peace in the midst of life’s storms. Here are three ways to find peace in God, inspired by Psalm 91.
#1 – Draw near to God.
“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.’” – Psalm 91:1–2 NKJV
Envision standing on top of a rugged stone fortress. The closer you get to the edge, the more you sense the danger of falling.
Psalm 91 describes God as a fortress. When we’re overwhelmed by fear, we may stand too close to the edge, focusing on the danger rather than the safety of our Strong Tower—Almighty God.
Consider the shadow metaphor in Psalm 91:1. To stand in someone’s shadow, we must be near them. In the same way, we must draw near to God to dwell in His shadow.
Peace Practice: Peace comes from nearness to God. Reading and obeying His Word, prayer, and worship are some practical ways we can draw near to Him. How will you step into His shadow today?
#2 – Rejoice in God’s presence.
“Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you.” – Psalm 91:9–10a NKJV
Step into the sandals of this psalm’s original readers, the Israelites, who experienced God’s powerful protection during the plagues in Egypt. Those plagues were God’s judgment on Pharaoh and the Egyptians, and the Israelites were delivered from them all unscathed.
“Refuge” had a specific meaning for the Israelites—protection from judgment. Think of the cities God designated as safe places, or refuges, for guilty people to run to when they deserved the punishment of death (Nm 35; Jo 20:1–9).
In this context, we can interpret Psalm 91’s promise of protection not as immunity from all hardship or harm, but protection from punishment for sin. Today, we receive this protection by grace through faith in Jesus, who took the judgment we deserved (Eph 2:8–9).
We can have peace because our most significant danger—separation from God—is overcome forever. No matter what may come, we’re not alone. We can constantly abide in His presence.
Peace Practice: Take a moment to reflect on the glorious truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ today. Praise God for the gift of His salvation and thank Him for the promise of His presence.
#3 – Link your shield.
“His truth shall be your shield and buckler.” – Psalm 91:4c NKJV
A warrior’s shield was large enough to cover most of his body and designed to be used together with the shields of others in a group to form an impenetrable wall of corporate protection.
A buckler is a small, round, and lightweight shield to prevent the soldier from becoming tired from carrying it. A warrior strapped the buckler to his forearm or gripped it by a handle. A buckler was used for personal or individual protection.
The differentiation between these two shields is important for understanding this Scripture. God is both our shield and our buckler.
Like the shield, God protects us collectively as the body of Christ. Like the buckler, He also protects us as individuals. We take refuge in Him corporately and individually.
As believers in Jesus Christ, we’re engaged in a spiritual battle, but God doesn’t intend for us to fight it alone. Our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ are our comrades-in-arms. We can experience peace in the midst of battle when we link shields with them in prayer (Phil 4:6–7; Eph 6:18).
Peace Practice: Who can you reach out to today? Who will link their shield with yours and pray for you? Commit to making a call or sending a text. Don’t face your battle alone for another day.
Peace for the Anxious Heart
“When he calls out to Me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble. I will rescue him and give him honor.” – Psalm 91:15 HCSB
Protection in battles and storms isn’t the same as protection from battles and storms. The Bible promises peace that doesn’t depend on our circumstances.
We can find peace in God, our mighty and gentle Protector, by drawing near to Him, abiding in His presence, and connecting with other believers in faith and through prayer.
Fear of the unknown and overwhelming struggles can shake our confidence, but God’s faithfulness never fails. Psalm 91 concludes with the assurance that God hears, answers, and rescues His people.
You may feel like your world is falling apart, but your Protector isn’t. He’s with you, He cares, and He’s enough.
Free Psalm 91 Bible Study
Do you long for unshakable peace, no matter your circumstances? I invite you to explore the rich, comforting truths of Psalm 91 more deeply.
Fearless Faith: Peace for the Anxious Heart is a free 7-day Bible study on Psalm 91 to help you trust God’s promises, stand firm in spiritual battles, and experience true peace in God’s presence.
Each day’s reading includes insights from Psalm 91, followed by reflection or journaling questions and suggested Scriptures to help you dig deeper.
Along the way, you’ll also learn practical Bible study principles to deepen your faith and help you study other Scripture passages on your own.
You’ll receive a welcome letter within 15 minutes of signing up, which includes the complete 7-day study as a digital resource.
Why not invite a few friends to join you? The value of Bible study multiplies when we share what we’re learning with friends.
I pray this study helps you delight in God’s Word and find peace in Him, no matter your circumstances.
Jana Carlson
Jana Carlson is a Bible teacher and writer dedicated to helping women overcome intimidation and study the Bible with confidence. She shares simple, accessible ways to turn “just reading” into a life-changing delight in God’s Word. Jana lives in Alberta, Canada, where she works as an editor and serves in women’s ministry at her church. Connect with her at janacarlson.com.
