My Strong Tower: Finding Refuge in God’s Name with Lyme and Babesia

A picture of a lighthouse.

My Strong Tower: Finding Refuge in God’s Name with Lyme and Babesia

By Cindy

This week, I got news that shook me to my core. On Tuesday, I sat in a room with my daughter and Dr. Vickers at the Mid Atlantic Health Institute, hearing words I wasn’t ready for. I knew I had Lyme Disease and now he said I have Babesia.

It’s like being told two storms are hitting your house at once—fatigue, pain, brain fog, and a parasite piling on top of it all. I felt scared, overwhelmed, and honestly, a little alone. Not everyone gets what it’s like to live with these invisible illnesses, especially when words or thoughts can jumble up even on good days.

But in the middle of this storm, one Bible verse has been like a glowing lighthouse lighting my way:

“The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it and is safe” (Proverbs 18:10, NASB).

Let me share how this verse is holding me together and how I’m learning to run to God’s name for safety.

A Tower When Life Feels Shaky

When I first heard Proverbs 18:10, it felt like God was handing me a map to a safe place. The verse paints a picture of a “strong tower”—a fortress that stands tall no matter what’s crashing around it.

For me, Lyme and Babesia are like wild waves slamming against a little boat I’m trying to steer. Some days, I’m so tired I can barely think, and the brain fog makes simple tasks—like reading an email—feel like climbing a mountain.

Then there’s the loneliness when people don’t understand why I can’t “just push through.” But this verse tells me God’s name is a tower I can run to, a place where I’m safe, even when my body and heart feel battered.

I love how the verse says “the name of the LORD.” In the Bible, God’s name isn’t just a word—it’s who He is. His love, His strength, His compassion. To me, it’s like calling out to my best friend who always knows exactly what I need, even when I can’t explain it.

When I say “Lord” or “Yahweh,” I’m not just praying—I’m stepping into His presence, like walking into a warm, sturdy lighthouse where the storm can’t touch me. And that little note in my Bible, “set on high,” makes it even more real. It’s like God lifts me up above the chaos, where I can breathe again, even if the waves are still there.

Running to the Tower

The verse says the “righteous runs into it.” I used to think “righteous” meant perfect people, but I’ve learned it’s just folks like me who trust God, even when we’re messy. With dyslexia, I sometimes feel like I’m not “enough”—not smart enough, not strong enough.

Add Lyme and Babesia, and it’s easy to feel like I’m failing. But God doesn’t ask me to be perfect. He just asks me to run to Him, like a kid sprinting to their mom when they’re scared. That’s what I’m doing now—running to His name when the fear or pain hits.

For me, running to God’s name looks like simple things. When I’m too tired to read, I listen to worship songs. Songs like “What a Beautiful Name” feel like stepping into that tower, where God’s love wraps around me.

One night, when Babesia gave me chills and I couldn’t sleep, I played a song and just whispered, “Jesus, you’re my tower.” It didn’t take the chills away, but it calmed my heart, like curling up in a cozy blanket. I felt safe, even in the middle of the night.

Another way I run to Him is through prayer—short ones, because my brain can’t always handle long words. “God, you see me,” I’ll say when I feel alone. It’s like dashing into that fortress, knowing He understands my pain in a way others might not.

I’ve also started picturing a glowing lighthouse. That image helps me focus when dyslexia makes things fuzzy. I see God’s name as that light, guiding me through the fog of my illnesses.

Being Set on High

That “set on high” part of the verse is my favorite right now. It’s not that my diagnoses disappear—Lyme and Babesia are still here, and treatment might be a long road. But when I run to God’s name, it’s like He lifts me above the fear and sadness.

I picture myself in a hot air balloon, floating high above a stormy valley. The storm’s still there, but I’m held up by God’s presence, seeing hope instead of just darkness.

This happened the other day when I felt frustrated after someone said, “You don’t look sick!” I wanted to scream, but instead, I closed my eyes and prayed, “Lord, you get it.” In that moment, I felt His empathy—like He was saying, “Cindy, I see every ache, every struggle.”

It was like being lifted to a high place where I didn’t have to prove myself. That’s what God’s name does—it reminds me I’m not defined by my illnesses or what others think. I’m His, and He’s my safe place.

Connecting to My Heart

I love the Beatitudes and the idea of “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). Proverbs 18:10 feels like it fits right in. The Beatitudes show how Jesus lives in me, shining His peace and love through me, even when I’m weak.

This verse in Proverbs is like that, too—when I run to God’s name, I’m resting in Christ’s presence, letting His strength carry me. It’s not about me being strong; it’s about Him being my tower. Lyme and Babesia can make my world feel dark, but Jesus is the lighthouse, glowing no matter what.

When I call on His name, it’s like turning up that light, letting it shine brighter than my pain or fear. It’s the same hope I find in the Beatitudes—God’s kingdom is in me, and nothing, not even chronic illness, can take that away.

Practical Steps for You

If you’re facing your own storms—maybe not Lyme or Babesia, but something else—here’s how I’m learning to run to God’s strong tower:

• Listen to worship music: Songs about God’s peace are like a doorway to His tower. Try “Peace In The Midst of the Storm” when you need comfort.
  

• Pray short prayers: Just say, “Jesus, you’re my tower.” It’s enough, especially if your brain feels foggy like mine does.
  

• Picture a safe place: I see a lighthouse or lantern. Find an image that helps you feel God’s presence and keep it close.
  

• Find people who get it: I’m looking for a Lyme support group to share with folks who understand. They can pray with you, reminding you of God’s name.
  

• Listen to Scripture: Apps like YouVersion read the Bible aloud. Hearing Proverbs 18:10 can feel like stepping into that tower.
  

My Hope for Today

I won’t lie—Lyme and Babesia scare me. The road ahead with Dr. Vickers and treatment feels long, and some days, I feel like nobody really gets it. But Proverbs 18:10 is my anchor. God’s name is my strong tower, and when I run to Him, I’m safe—not because the illnesses go away, but because His love holds me. He sees me, He knows my pain, and He lifts me high above the storm. If you’re hurting, I pray you find that same refuge in His name. It’s a tower big enough for all of us.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for being my strong tower. When Lyme and Babesia make me feel weak or alone, I run to Your name. You hold me close, Your light shines, and You lift me high. You’re my safe place, always. Amen.

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