READ: ISAIAH 40:11; JOHN 10:27-29; 2 CORINTHIANS 1:3-7

"It’s okay; I’ve got you.” The parent rocks their baby, holding them close. “You’re okay.”

How many times have you seen this play out? You hear a young baby crying and then see an adult rocking them or patting them on the back, soothing them. Or you hear a toddler crying and see them looking afraid of everyone around them. They want nothing to do with anybody—except for the one holding them. The toddler puts their face in the shoulder of the adult they know and love, and is comforted.

Watching interactions like these can help us understand God in a deeper way. When life is too much for us and we feel overwhelmed or scared, God will hold us like a parent holds their young child. When everything around us seems to be falling apart, or we’re surrounded by strangers and we don’t know what to do, we can turn to God and be held.

Like an attentive parent, God knows how to comfort us when things are too intense for us. Like a parent, He loves us. Like a parent, He will hold us and help us through every hard situation we face.

You are never alone. In your fear or loneliness, imagine God holding you. Maybe even picture Him patting you on the back or rocking you. When everything is falling apart and everything seems overwhelming, you can bury your face into your Savior’s shoulder where He promises love and comfort. He’s got you, and everything will be okay. • Emily Acker

• Have you ever heard God called a Good Father? Have you ever imagined Him as the Father of a baby or a toddler? How does this image make you feel?

• We all have times when we feel overwhelmed or afraid. And it’s even worse when it feels like we’re on our own. Thankfully, we will never outgrow the arms of God. He wants so badly to be our Father that Jesus died on the cross and rose from the grave so we could be adopted as His children. How could knowing that God will hold you make the future seem a little less scary?

• Have you ever gone through a situation where you were keenly aware that you needed God’s help? Were there any ways you noticed God comforting you or helping you through that time? Consider taking a moment to thank Him for this.

[Jesus said,] “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (NIV)