I have been on both sides. I have been the one, constantly in need of prayer. Life was getting turned upside down, over and over, draining me emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually. Wondering, "God, what are you doing? Where are you taking me? What is next for my family?" There were times when the words wouldn't come, but I knew God still heard my heart. The prayers of my loved ones pushed me forward when I had nothing left to give. While turbulent times still arise from time to time, I am at a place where I feel like I can breathe from one storm to the next.
Not so for a close friend. We have been friends for years, bonding immediately upon our first meeting. I love her dearly. We have walked through each others storms on countless occasions, praying for one another. While I am riding in a bit of calm, her storm rages on.
I wish I could lift her out of her storm, so she could ride her waves. I wish, for a week or two, I could lift her out of her current situation and she could breathe, rest, without worrying about finances, broken relationships, and ailing loved ones.
I have been there. I have been in the seemless never-ending cycle of pain. When one heartache leads to the next, struggling to keep my head above rising waters to catch my next breath.
During this time, I couldn't see a light at the end of my dark tunnel. I couldn't see how, where, or when this all would end. I cried out to God, asking all of these things. "Lord, Help me through this moment, this hour, this day! Help me breathe!"
His reply: REFUGE
What?
REFUGE
Okay?
I AM NOT GOING TO TAKE THIS FROM YOU RIGHT NOW, BUT I WANT TO BE YOUR REFUGE WHILE YOU ARE CALLED TO WEATHER IT.
refuge
REFUGE
So I googled, researched, underlined, and prayed over every verse of REFUGE in the Bible. Because when I HEAR GOD, I have to go ALL IN.
David had the refuge thing DOWN. He had some serious storms to weather...mainly a crazy king who wanted him dead.
The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Psalm 9:9 NIV
God’s a safe-house for the battered, a sanctuary during bad times. Psalm 9:9 MSG
REFUGE - stronghold, safe-house, sanctuary
God became my stronghold, when everything else seemed to be slipping away. He became my safe-house when the chaos of life became too much. He became my sanctuary when the world seemed to rise against me.
So, my prayer to my dear sister friend and others whose hearts are in a bout of turbulent waves, keep running to God to be your refuge. Nothing else can keep you above the waves like only He can. I will keep praying for you to allow God to be your stronghold as the storm rages on.
Find REFUGE
Leah
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