As a mom there are times that I need a break. I need a break from the chaos, drama, yelling (oh I'm sure there are many more years of that to come), and the exhaustion. My husband and I are very fortunate that my mother will take one or both of my kiddos for the night (or two). I think she understands that we need a break....a time to regain our composer.
But as Christians, are we doing that as well? Are we finding a time to take away all of the noise (the chaos) of life and just listen to God? Nahum 1:7 (NIV) tells us, "The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He care for those who trust in Him."
Let that sink in for a minute. The Lord is Good. There is no argument from me that God is not good. Daily I see His blessings, his grooming, his sharpening, and his grace for ME. For little (no comment needed on weight) ole me.
But the scripture goes on and says that God is our "refuge in times of trouble." Sometimes I like to go and look up words in the dictionary even though I know what they mean. Refuge is defined as "anything to which one has recourse for aid, relief, or escape". God is our recourse. God provides us with aid for trouble times, relief from stress, or an escape from the chaos of life. Nothing else in the world can do that except God. We might be able to find earthly escapes (sports, exercise, food, addictions, etc) but at the end of the day...those are not our recourse.
This verse ends with saying, "He care for those who trust in Him." I know in my daily Christian walk that there have been times when I want to say I have trusted in God, but I haven't. I haven't truly given over my worries or stress to Him. I might momentarily lay them at His feet, but I will go back and pick them up. When I do this, I translate to God that I don't have enough faith that His will is best.
What today is holding you up from being in God's refuge? While my mom gives me a break from my kids, my refuge remains in God. Today, I encourage you to seek out refuge in God for whatever you have going on (addiction, depression, stress, heartache, anxiety, family issues, etc). "..For he cares for those who trust in Him!"
"Dear Lord, today I want to seek out your refuge. I carry a burden in my heart for those who are hurting, who don't know you, or those who are choosing to not seek you. I pray Lord for my own personal heartache. I know that when I am hurting, I can run into your open arms. You will always accept me and call me yours. Your arms will protect me, love me, and guide me. In all of this, I pray in your Son's name. Amen."
