Find your refuge in God
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
— Psalms 46:1 (KJV)
I was telling my friend that my granddaughter’s mate inherited a farm that’s been in their family for over 100 years.
My granddaughter has always had a love for animals, and now she’s learning about farm life, and she’s enjoying the beauty of being out in the country. This was obvious when she sent me a picture of her daughter swinging from the baby swing her dad attached to the branch of a big oak tree.
Explaining this to my friend she replied, “Sounds like a good place of refuge to me.”
Her comment triggered thoughts of my younger years, when farms were plentiful in our county. I recall going down to the end of my street, where I’d sit on a grassy hill and look across the highway at the farm fields. My friend was right; even as a youth, I enjoyed my place of refuge.
But progress being what it is, the old highway turned into four lanes and there’s shopping and fast-food restaurants where the farm once was. Over the years, I’ve had to carve out new spaces that are a refuge for my soul.
When I was raising a house full of teenage boys, there were times I found refuge sitting in my vehicle in the driveway to find a quiet place.
Do you have a place of refuge? A place where it’s relaxing and you can quiet yourself and hear God whispering dreams to your soul.
A refuge can be outside or inside. It can be a small space you have on your patio with a few flower pots, or a corner in your room that you carved out for yourself with a few of your favorite books, or a journal you enjoy using to write your thoughts or prayers in.
The Bible informs us that God is our refuge. He surrounds us and protects us in our difficulties. King David wrote this Bible verse while hiding out in a cave from his enemy. Where he leaned on God to protect him.
Whenever there is calamity and chaos, there are beautiful passages of Scriptures providing God’s comfort and healing promises.
When you're lonely, brokenhearted, hopeless or afraid, whether you’re on a farm or in a cave, he’ll lead you to a place of healing and prosperity. Just quiet your soul and open your heart to be your refuge in your time of need.
• Annettee Budzban is a Christian author, speaker, life coach and nurse. She can be contacted at annetteebudzban@aol.com or (847) 543-8413.