My Refuge

My one-year-old granddaughter Lana has terrible “stranger-danger.” It is so bad, she won’t even let her aunts or grandfather hold her. It took her awhile to decide I was okay, but she used to cry even if I got too close. Whenever she is afraid, she goes running straight to her Daddy. He is her strong protector who comforts her and makes her feel safe.

God gives us the body of Christ for many reasons, one being a supportive network for comfort and encouragement. But how many times do we go running to our friends with our fears and problems instead of going to our Father? I remember a specific time when I had a problem and called a friend because I was sure I had figured out a way to fix the problem, and it would involve her help. I was in mid-sentence with her when I suddenly felt a stab from the Holy Spirit. “Sheila, I’m so sorry,” I confessed in embarrassment. “I don’t know why I’m coming to you with this when I haven’t even prayed about it yet!” I realized that I was trying to fix the problem instead of asking God what He wanted me to do about it. It ended up that the solution to the problem was not the direction I had been heading toward. I’m glad the Holy Spirit gave me a swift elbow to the side before I made a big mistake!

The same kind of situation can happen in grief as well. Believers should lift up other believers who are grieving. Scripture tells us to “mourn with those who mourn” (Romans 12:15) and to “comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God,” (2 Corinthians 2:3,4). But there is a time during the grieving process when God wants us to come all alone…to HIM alone for comfort. There is a holy time during grief when our Father comforts us in a way that only He can. Friends are beautiful examples of love to us, but nobody understands our heart like God does. There is something about fear and pain that drives us to the heart of the Father, and that is where He wants us to run. He is our Healer, our Comforter, our Protector, and so much more.

It’s ok to talk to your friends. But make sure you’re talking to God, too. He is our “refuge and strength,  an ever-present help in trouble,” (Psalm 46:1).

My Refuge
I hear the taunting
Of memories haunting.
Lord, my heart cries out to You.
Can there be healing
From the pain I am feeling?
I thought that these hurts were all through!
Lord, you alone are my refuge.
I seek solace in Your Holy Word.
I can’t even put words to my heart thoughts,
But in You every prayer has been heard.
Oh, Lord, how I long for a “soul-mate,”
Yet my feelings are so hard to share.
Then I’m reminded Your love is unfailing.
YOU’RE my rock who will always be there.
So I praise You, my God of salvation.
I will trust You through bittersweet tears,
And as Your grace brings a cleansing within me,
I’ll rejoice as Your healing appears.
-Bobbie Perkins