Blue Haven Bible Study 1

God Our Refuge (Protection & Presence Prayer)

Blue Haven Bible Study 1

God Our Refuge (Protection & Presence)

“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust…For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways”

—Psalm 91:1–2, 11, NIV

______________________________________________________________________________

Welcome & Covenant Reminder

            Welcome, everyone. My name is Tammy Ingram, also known as Chaplain Tammy, and more proudly known as Grammy Tammy. I want to begin by saying this is a safe space. What is shared here, stays here. You are free to speak, or you are free to be silent. Both are honored. There's no judgment here, only grace. This group is not about fixing each other—it's about meeting God together in the middle of what we carry.

            Everything I am saying is written in your study paperwork. Myself, given I'm a visual learner and if I'm not comfortable in a particular setting, it helps me to read the paperwork along with the facilitator for comprehension. So I wanted to be conscious of y'all and respect each individual's comfort level. But... I can't promise you that I won't go into a Tammy Tangent at times and go off script!

            But if I happen to not be here for some reason, your weekly study will be written out for the person I have selected carefully to take over group. And if they don't follow my script, let me know the following week; and it will be our secret!

            I would be honored if you would introduce yourself to the group and myself and share only what you're comfortable with regarding profession and family.

Opening Prayer

            Father God, we come before You tonight carrying the weight of what we've seen, what we've experienced, and what we silently bear. Quiet our minds, settle our hearts, and help us hear Your voice in this sacred space where we can finally be honest about what we carry. In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

Opening Scripture

            “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust…For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.” —Psalm 91:1–2, 11, NIV

Reflection (Devotion)

            You live in a world that most people cannot imagine—whether it's stepping into dangerous situations, making split-second decisions that could mean life or death, or waiting at home with the weight of worry pressing down on your chest every time your officer walks out the door. The world often sees the uniform or the badge, but misses the human being inside it—the one who feels, who fears, who hopes, who longs for rest.

            Law enforcement requires you to be constantly vigilant. Always scanning. Always assessing threat levels. Always ready. And that hypervigilance doesn't just turn off when you clock out or come home. It follows you into grocery stores, restaurants, your kids' school events. It seeps into your sleep; or lack of it. For spouses and families, you live with someone who's been trained to see danger everywhere, and sometimes that means you carry a different kind of vigilance: watching your officer for signs they're struggling, wondering if tonight's the night they don't come home, praying over fears you can't always speak out loud.

            The exhaustion is real. The fear is real. The cost of this calling is real.

            But here's what else is real: God sees you. Not just the uniform. Not just the role. Not just what you do, but who you are underneath all of it.

            He names Himself your refuge and fortress. And notice, it's not a fortress that locks you in and keeps you trapped. It's a fortress that protects you as you go out. You don't have to choose between your calling and God's covering. He goes with you. Into every shift. Into every call. Into every moment of uncertainty.

            Psalm 91 promises something stunning: "He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways." That word "command" is military language. God doesn't suggest to the angels that they might want to keep an eye on you if it's convenient. He commands them. He stations them. He assigns them to you specifically.

            You do not walk into darkness alone.

            Whether you're the officer stepping into the unknown, or the spouse watching them leave and whispering prayers until they return, you are not alone. God has positioned His protection over you, around you, and ahead of you.

            This group begins here: with the truth that you are not defined by your shifts, your struggles, or your scars. You are not defined by the worst call you've ever responded to, the decision you second-guess, or the trauma that replays in your mind when you're trying to sleep.

            You are defined by the God who covers you, surrounds you, and keeps His eyes on you always.

            And in this room, in this space, you're invited to be human—fully, honestly, without pretense. To name the fear. To admit the exhaustion. To say out loud what you've been carrying in silence. Because refuge isn't just a place; it's permission to stop pretending you're fine when you're not.

Discussion Questions

1. When you hear the phrase "shelter of the Most High," what comes to mind for you personally?

2. For officers: Where do you feel the heaviest weight right now: on duty, off duty, or at home?

3. For spouses/families: What's the hardest part of this calling for you?

Take-Home Reflection Questions (for private use)

            I want to encourage you, these questions are not homework. They are invitations; something you can use in your own quiet moments, or talk through with your spouse if you'd like. No one will ever check your answers.

1. What do I most often run to for "refuge" when I'm overwhelmed: God, or something else?

2. Where do I feel most exposed or vulnerable right now?

3. What would it mean for me personally to "rest in the shadow of the Almighty"?

4. Have I ever felt God's protection in a situation where the outcome could have been worse? How did I respond?

5. What fears do I carry silently, even from my spouse or closest friend?

6. What is one prayer of protection I need to pray over myself, or my family, this week?

7. When I imagine God commanding His angels concerning me, what picture comes to mind?

8. If I believed fully that God is my fortress, how would it change the way I walk into my next shift/next day at home?

Prayer Focus (Leader-led, with space for silence)

            Let's pray together. You are welcome to pray silently, or I will carry the words for us.

Closing Prayer

            Lord, tonight we place every officer, every spouse, every child into Your hands. You see the danger, the exhaustion, the hidden fears. We ask for Your protection on every shift, in every patrol car, in every decision. Cover the families waiting at home with peace that guards their hearts and minds. Strengthen marriages. Guard children from fear. Heal the memories that haunt in the night. And remind each one here that they are never alone, for You command Your angels concerning them. In Jesus' precious name, Amen.

Closing Declaration (Group together, read aloud)

We will dwell in the shelter of the Most High.

We will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

God is our refuge and fortress.

We will not fear, for He is with us.

He will strengthen us and uphold us with His righteous right hand.

In His name, we are covered. In Jesus' mighty name, Amen. 

Blue Haven Bible Study 2

Blue Haven Bible Study 2

Peace in Chaos (Anxiety & Rest)

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

—Philippians 4:6–7, NIV

______________________________________________________________________________

Welcome & Covenant Reminder

            Welcome back, everyone. It's an honor to be here with you again. As always, what is said here, stays here. You are free to speak, or free to sit in silence; both are respected. This is a space of grace, not judgment.

Opening Prayer

            Lord, we come to You carrying more than we can hold—the weight of what we've seen, the anxiety we can't shake, and the exhaustion that follows us everywhere. Speak peace into the chaos tonight, and help us lay down what we were never meant to carry alone. In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

Opening Scripture

            "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” —Philippians 4:6–7, NIV

Reflection (Devotion)

            Anxiety is one of the most common struggles law enforcement officers and their families face, yet it's also one of the least talked about. Why? Because admitting you're anxious feels like admitting you're weak. And in a profession that demands strength, composure, and split-second decision-making under pressure, there's no room for weakness—or so the culture tells you.

            But here's the reality: You can be courageous and still struggle with anxiety. You can be competent at your job and still lie awake at 3 AM replaying calls. You can be strong enough to run toward danger and still feel your heart race when the phone rings unexpectedly. Anxiety doesn't mean you're failing; it means you're human.

            For officers, anxiety shows up in different ways. Sometimes it's the physical response: elevated heart rate, shallow breathing, muscle tension that never fully releases even when you're off duty. Sometimes it's the mental loop: replaying decisions, second-guessing yourself, catastrophizing about what could go wrong on the next call. Sometimes it's the hypervigilance that won't turn off, the inability to relax because your brain is constantly scanning for threats even in safe environments.

            And there's a particular kind of anxiety that comes with this job that civilians don't understand: the weight of responsibility for other people's lives. Every decision you make could mean the difference between someone living or dying—including yourself. That's not dramatic; that's the reality of the badge. And carrying that level of responsibility day after day, shift after shift, year after year creates a burden that can crush you if you're not careful.

            We all deal with anxiety at times by trying to control everything, so what's the answer?

            Paul writes to the Philippians, a church living under Roman military occupation, familiar with soldiers and the anxiety that comes with living under constant threat, and he gives them a command that seems impossible: "Do not be anxious about anything."

            Wait. Anything? How is that even possible when your job literally requires you to anticipate danger? When your spouse walks into life-threatening situations regularly? When the stakes are life and death?

            But notice Paul doesn't stop there. He doesn't just say "don't be anxious" and leave you to figure it out. He tells you what to do instead: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

            Prayer isn't a passive activity; it's an active transfer of weight. You take the anxiety you're carrying and you hand it to God. Not because the situation changes immediately. Not because the danger disappears. But because you were never meant to carry it alone.

            And here's what happens when you do that: "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

            That word "guard" is phroureo in Greek—it's military language. It means to station a sentinel, to keep watch with a garrison of soldiers, to protect by military guard. Paul is saying that God's peace isn't passive or weak. It's not a feeling you conjure up by thinking positive thoughts or trying harder to trust.

            God's peace is an active, protective force; like a soldier standing watch at the door of your heart and mind.

            Think about that. While you're standing watch over your community, God is standing watch over you. While you're protecting others, His peace is protecting your heart from being consumed by anxiety. While you're scanning for threats, God's peace is guarding you from the internal threats of fear, despair, and overwhelming stress.

            This peace doesn't erase the chaos. It doesn't make the job easier or the dangers disappear. But it steadies you in the middle of it. It becomes a shield over anxiety. A breath in the storm. A quiet strength when everything around you is screaming.

            And notice what Paul says comes with prayer: thanksgiving. Not just asking God to fix everything, but somehow, even in the midst of anxiety, finding something to thank Him for. Thank Him that you made it home. Thank Him for your family. Thank Him that He's still listening even when you're barely holding on.

            That kind of honest prayer, bringing God the full weight of what you carry, not the sanitized version, that's what opens the door for His peace to stand guard.

            You don't have to have it all together. You don't have to fix yourself before you come to God. You just have to come—messy, exhausted, anxious, struggling—and let His peace do what your own strength cannot.

Group Discussion Questions

1. What is one situation in your life right now that feels chaotic or heavy?

2. When you hear that God's peace "guards" your heart, what image comes to mind?

3. Where do you long to experience God's peace most—in your work, your home, or your own mind?

Take-Home Reflection Questions (deeper, private)

1. What situations cause me the most anxiety—on duty, off duty, or in my family life?

2. How do I usually cope with stress or worry? Do these methods bring lasting peace?

3. When was the last time I truly felt God's peace, even in a difficult moment?

4. What keeps me from presenting my requests fully to God?

5. If God's peace is like a guard at my heart and mind, what specifically do I need Him to guard me from?

6. How can I begin to invite thanksgiving into my prayers, even when I feel overwhelmed?

7. What would change in my marriage or home if God's peace became the atmosphere?

8. Where am I resisting peace because I feel the need to stay "in control"?

Prayer Focus

• Peace in the middle of anxiety and trauma

• Restful sleep and mental clarity

• Calm for families waiting at home

• God's peace to guard marriages and homes

Closing Prayer

            Lord, You know the chaos our officers and families face daily. Tonight, we ask that Your peace would guard every heart and mind here. Quiet the anxieties that shout so loudly. Bring calm where there is unrest, and protect marriages and families with Your covering. Teach us to trust You with what we cannot control. In Jesus' mighty and powerful name, Amen.

Closing Declaration (Group together)

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus. We will not be shaken, for the Lord is our strength and shield. Amen.

Blue Haven Bible Study 3

Courage in Darkness (Strength for the Call)

Blue Haven Bible Study 3

Courage in Darkness (Strength for the Call)

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

—Joshua 1:9, NIV

______________________________________________________________________________

Welcome & Covenant Reminder

            Hi guys! Welcome back, everyone. As always, this is a sacred and confidential space. You are free to speak or to remain silent; both are holy. No fixing, no judgment, just presence. But I’m so excited to see all-y’all.

Opening Prayer

            Father, we come before You tonight needing courage we don't have on our own—courage to face what's ahead, courage to be honest about what we carry, and courage to trust that You're with us even in the darkest places. Fill us with Your strength, for we cannot do this alone. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Opening Scripture

            "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” —Joshua 1:9, NIV

            Courage isn't the absence of fear; it's moving forward in the presence of fear.

            For law enforcement officers, courage is walking toward danger when everyone else is running away. It's pulling over that vehicle at 2 AM on a dark road when you don't know what's waiting on the other side of that window. It's entering that domestic violence call knowing the statistics—that DV calls are some of the most dangerous situations officers face. It's making split-second decisions with incomplete information, knowing you'll be judged later by people who had hours or days to analyze what you had seconds to assess.

            Courage is doing the job even when you're afraid.

            For spouses and families, courage looks different but cuts just as deep. It's watching your officer walk out the door every shift and choosing to trust God with what you cannot control. It's hearing sirens in the distance and forcing yourself not to panic. It's staying strong for your kids when they ask, "Is Mommy/Daddy going to be okay?" even though you're asking God the same question. It's living with the reality that every goodbye could be the last one, and still saying "I love you" and letting them go.

            Courage is loving someone whose job puts them in harm's way, and choosing not to let fear destroy your peace.

            When God spoke to Joshua, He didn't say, "Try your best to be brave" or "Hopefully you'll feel courageous enough eventually." He commanded it: "Be strong and courageous." That's not a suggestion; it's an order. And why would God command something that's impossible? Because courage isn't something you manufacture on your own; it's something you receive when you remember whose presence goes with you.

            Joshua was about to lead Israel into enemy territory. Moses, the only leader they'd ever known, was dead. The people were afraid. The obstacles were massive. The odds were stacked against them. And in that moment, God didn't minimize the danger or promise it would be easy. Instead, He said: "I will be with you wherever you go."

            That's the source of courage: not the absence of danger, but the presence of God in the middle of it.

            Officers, you walk into darkness regularly. But you don't walk alone. God doesn't stand at a safe distance and cheer you on; He goes with you. Into the domestic. Into the traffic stop. Into the foot pursuit. Into the moments when everything goes sideways and you're making decisions that will be dissected and criticized and second-guessed for years. He is with you.

            Families, you live with a different kind of darkness—the unknown, the waiting, the fear that lives in your chest every time your officer is on shift. But God is with you, too. In the anxiety-filled nights. In the moments when you're holding it together for everyone else. In the grief of anniversaries or near-misses or losses that haunt your household. He is with you.

            Courage isn't about being fearless. Courage is about being faithful even when you're full of fear. It's about taking the next step forward—into the shift, into the day, into the conversation you've been avoiding—knowing that God's presence makes the difference between walking into darkness and walking through it.

            There's a crucial distinction here that officers especially need to hear: Courage is not the same as recklessness. Recklessness ignores wisdom, rushes in without assessing risk, and acts foolishly in the name of bravery. But godly courage is wise, discerning, and strategic. It doesn't mean you take unnecessary risks, it means you move forward with wisdom when the situation requires action, trusting that God will be with you even when the outcome is uncertain.

            You are not called to be foolish. You are called to be courageous.

            And here's the beautiful promise embedded in this verse: God doesn't just command courage and leave you to figure it out. He gives you the reason you can obey the command: "for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

            Wherever. Not just in the safe places. Not just when things go well. Not just when you feel spiritually strong or emotionally steady. Wherever you go, He is there.

Group Discussion Questions

1. What does courage look like for you—in uniform, or as a family member?

2. Where is fear trying to steal your peace right now?

3. When have you felt God's presence give you strength in a difficult moment?

Take-Home Reflection Questions (deeper, private)

1. What fears do I carry silently that I rarely admit out loud?

2. Where in my work or family life do I feel most in need of courage?

3. How do I usually handle fear—by hiding it, numbing it, or bringing it to God?

4. In what ways does fear affect my marriage, family, or relationships?

5. What specific promises of God can I cling to when fear rises up?

6. What does it mean to me personally that God commands courage rather than suggests it?

7. How might my life look different if I truly believed God was always with me?

8. What is one courageous step I feel God inviting me to take this week?

Prayer Focus

• Courage for officers in dangerous or stressful situations

• Courage for spouses facing loneliness or fear

• Strength for marriages and families under pressure

• The presence of God to drive out fear

Closing Prayer

            Lord, You know the weight of fear that often sits heavy on these hearts. Tonight, we ask for courage; not the kind the world gives, but the courage that comes from Your presence. Fill our officers with boldness, fill our families with steady strength, and remind us that we never walk into the darkness alone. In Jesus' mighty name, Amen.

Closing Declaration (Group together)

            We will be strong and courageous, for the Lord our God is with us wherever we go. Fear will not rule us, for His presence is our strength. Amen.

Blue Haven Bible Study 4 - To Continue the Journey, Come Join Us…

Blue Haven LE Support

To Continue the Journey, Come Join Us…

To continue this study, we invite you to join us in person. These online sessions offer a first taste of the journey, but true healing grows in community—on ground made steady by shared stories, trusted brothers, and the kind of good soil where strength and wholeness take root.

Your heart was never meant to carry this weight alone. Blue Haven provides the safety, accountability, and spiritual grounding that only face-to-face fellowship can offer. If you have not yet completed the intake form, please do so and take your place in the circle. We would be honored to walk beside you.

A Blessing Before You Leave

May the Lord steady your steps, strengthen your heart, and meet you in every place where the weight has pressed too hard. May His peace guard your mind, His truth anchor your spirit, and His presence lead you into healing that holds—on duty, off duty, and everywhere in between.

As you continue this journey, may brotherhood surround you, courage rise within you, and hope take deeper root than the battles you’ve survived. May the God who sees you restore what has been worn thin, renew what has been wounded, and remind you that you never walk alone.