Tag: refuge

Acting Like It

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The righteous will rejoice in the Lord and take refuge in him; all the upright in heart will glory in him! Psalm 64:10

Do you ever observe your life as an actor?

Maybe the phrase “fake it til you make it” comes to mind?

I’m not talking about times when you’re genuinely smiling.

Like really enjoying life.

Because that’s when it’s as easy as falling off a log to act happy. Because you are.

But what about the times when you’re not?

Can you choose joy even when you’d rather be anywhere else?

Can you choose love even when you feel anything but?

Yep. Know why? Because God’s strength in you is bigger than your weakness.

Bigger than the flesh that covers you.

Picture yourself in a situation where you really should be nice to someone undeserving.

Approach it as an actor would in their starring role. You can do it, I promise.

And after your performance, you might even feel a bit happier, too.

Yes, we must not pretend everything is always hunky dory.

Yes, we must not let horrible people run over our lives.

But generally in life, if you are needing to keep that fresh face forward, act like it.

Often removing yourself and becoming a happier version keeps relationships humming.

And before you know it, God may help your happy mood become your genuine reaction.

Until then, ask God to fill you with His strength, and jump into that loving actor self.

And give yourself an Oscar! I’ll applaud you!

Now you’re smiling!

Photos by Jon Tyson, Avel Chuklanov, & Nick Fewings on Unsplash

Rock & Refuge

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I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love, because you have seen my affliction; you have known the distress of my soul, and you have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy; you have set my feet in a broad place. Psalm 31:7-8

Isn’t God good? He sees our affliction. He knows our distress, yet He keeps us safe and sound.

Not only does He keep us safe, He sets us in a strong place.

Psalm 31 begins by David declaring refuge in God.

Putting his trust in God, and asking God to rescue him.

David declares “You are my rock and my fortress”, meaning God is his anchor and protection.

He reminds God “You take me out of the net…for You are my refuge”.

God has continually rescued David, like God has continually rescued you.

God has seen all of it. All of your life, God has seen.

Every moment of every day.

He has seen your deep distress wrapping your mind.

He has seen this, that, and every little bit.

But even while afflicted, David was not handed over to the enemy. God did not allow it.

And while you’ve been afflicted, God has not allowed you to be given over to the devil.

What do I mean?

While in deep dispair, are you still alive?

While struggling with the persecution of others, is your soul still rejoicing in the Lord?

While surrounded with impossible situations, are you still placing your hope and trust in God Almighty?

God has protected your soul from leaving the safety of His refuge.

God has kept you with Him, not allowing the devil to take all of you.

It might seem like the devil has had his way, but it could always be worse.

God could abandon you, and He has not.

He will not.

Instead of allowing the devil to take you away, God has set your feet in a broad place.

Meaning, you are safe.

Yes, keep asking God to rescue you.

Yes, keep begging God to redeem your situation.

But in the midst, thank God for His rock of refuge.

Thank God for seeing your affliction and the distress of your soul.

Thank Him for standing with you in his strong fortress.

Paul reminds us we are more than conquerers in Romans 8:37.

Are you?

You are if you keep yourself hidden in God as He works everything out.

We are more than conquerers through Him in all things, not in spite of them, but in the midst of them. (Oswald Chambers).

Photos by Ben Karpinski, Sead Dedić, Tim Oun, & Simon Berger on Unsplash

Refuge and Strength

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God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way; though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Psalm 46:1-3

This Psalm depicts absolute dire circumstances.

The earth gives way.

The earth literally moves away.

The mountains are moved into the sea.

Tall giant mountains are now in the water.

The water surrounds, causing the mountain to tremble.

Real calamity.

But yet, the psalm starts with God.

God is a present help in the midst of earth shattering consequences.

He is above the fray.

Has your life given way?

Do you have important people or situations impossibly thrown into the sea of chaos?

God promises to be your strength in the midst.

In the midst of the swirling waters, which make no sense, God is there.

He is present even in the midst.

Even in the unanswered prayers.

Even in the misunderstood situations.

Your life can become like nothing you recognize, but you can still rely in God.

He has, is, and always will be with you.

But it is your choice.

God cannot remain your ever present help if you choose to focus on the storm.

On your mountain which has been thrown unexpectedly into the sea.

When the safety of the ground beneath gives way, what is your response?

Trusting God, who promises to be your refuge in the midst?

God is our present, real, never leaving help in trouble.

Because of this, we will not fear when life throws up around us.

Why?

Because our God stands with us.

In Him we find refuge and strength.

Photos by Christian Cueni & Joseph Barrientos on Unsplash

His Wings

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He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. Psalm 91:4

Your God promises to completely cover you with Himself.

Hiding you under His wings.

You will find refuge there.

Safety.

His faithfulness is your shield.

Your impenetrable shield.

Visually saw an example recently with, yes, Wonder Woman ’84.

There’s a scene where a warrior is completely enveloped within iron wings closed around her.

The enemy is literally right there, flinging weapons.

But the “feathers” or wings keep her safe.

I love to picture God surrounding me with His armor.

His protection for whatever comes my way.

Thank you, God, for always covering me with You.

There’s no place I’d rather be.

Photos by Debby Hudson, Samantha Kennedy, Gary Bendig, & Nico Frey on Unsplash