You ask for protection for yourself and your neighbor’s children, and for relief from stress and headaches. These are not separate things, for a troubled mind often brings bodily affliction, while a mind stayed on God knows peace even in danger. God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. What is this sound mind? It is a soul that is sober, that sees clearly, that has cut off the superfluities of panic and distrust. Whatever threatens from outside, a malicious person or any other snare, cannot truly harm the one who is anchored in Christ, for He is our shield and our exceeding great reward.
Be men in understanding, yet children in malice. Do not let your thoughts race after every rumor, every suspicion about a bad neighbor. That is the mark of a child’s mind, which gapes at trifles and is easily fluttered. Instead, humble your soul willingly before God. The poor in spirit, the contrite of heart, are called blessed, for they know their need and cast themselves entirely on Him. Humility is not weakness; it is the strength to entrust vengeance and protection to the Lord. When you feel the stress tightening like a band around your head, it may be that your thoughts are sharpened by fear, piercing you from within more keenly than any external spear. Learn the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom and the relief of anxiety. The prophet teaches, “Come, ye children, and I will teach you the fear of the Lord.” This fear is not a cringing dread, but a reverent awe that puts all lesser fears to flight. It teaches you to keep your tongue from evil, to depart from evil and do good, to seek peace and pursue it.
Yes, even toward that harmful person, pursue peace as far as it depends on you. Pray for those who trouble you, for Christ commands this. A good conscience is your glory; if you have done no wrong, let that testimony sustain you. Do not return evil for evil, but overcome evil with good. This is the way of a sound mind, to repay malice with blessing, knowing that the battle is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual wickedness. As for the children, God is their guardian; when you commit them to Him in prayer, you place them under a shadow no human malice can penetrate. The devil himself is a murderer and the father of lies, envying the peace of the innocent; but do not fear him, for He that is in you is greater.
Let your daily life be lived as a servant of Christ, doing His will from the heart, not with eye-service as men-pleasers. This brings a deep calm. Whether you are bond or free, you serve the Lord, and whatsoever good you do, you will receive from Him. This includes the quiet service of trusting prayer and gentle words. The headaches born of stress often flee when the mind ceases to fight its own thoughts and submits all to God’s wise ordering. He is not a God of confusion, but of peace.
Therefore, stand firm. Do not let your gray hairs, if you have them, be shamed by a childish mind that runs after anxieties like a theater-goer after empty sights. Be sober; be vigilant. The Lord will protect you and your neighbor’s children. He will give you a spirit of power to endure, of love to bless even an enemy, and of a sound mind to rest in His providence. Let your prayer be continual: “Lord, have mercy,” and let your heart trust in Him. Then the peace that passes all understanding will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus.