I often feel overwhelmed by all that goes on in my life. I'm sure others of you feel the same way at times.
As I was reading today I found this and thought how much it fits me.
I often forget that God is my refuge and don't turn things over to him as I should.
Psalm 46:1-3
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble"
(v. 1).
This assurance from the Lord ought to take care of all of our fears and problems.
God is our refuge--He hides us.
God is our strength--He helps us.
These two go together.
At times in our lives we need a refuge.
The storm is blowing and the battle is raging, and we have to run somewhere to hide.
It's not a sin to hide, but it is a sin to stay hidden.
God hides us so that He can help us.
Then we can return to the battle and face the storm.
This is not escape but rejuvenation.
The Old Testament contains 21 different Hebrew words for trouble. Here the word trouble means "in tight places."
If you are in a tight place today, let me suggest that you run by faith to Jesus.
But don't go to Him to escape.
Go there and tell Him, "Lord, I want to go back to the battle.
I want to go back to my work.
I want to carry the burdens of life, but you have to give me the strength."
Then you can claim this marvellous promise of verse 1.
Notice the conclusion: "Therefore we will not fear" (v. 2).
When God is available as your refuge and your strength, you have nothing to fear.
Take time to run to the Lord.
Are circumstances overwhelming you?
Take refuge in the Lord.
He will enable you to continue with renewed strength and confidence.
Many of us are going through difficult trials right now.
The economy has some worried about money, others are going through emotional turmoil while others are experiencing sadness and loss.
As I thought about these things I read something I thought would help.
Let my life be hid in Thee,
Life of life and Light of light!
Love's illimitable sea,
Depth of peace, of power the height!
Let my life be hid in Thee
From vexation and annoy;
Calm in Thy tranquility,
All my mourning turned to joy.
JOHN BULL
IT is small things that, just because of their smallness, distress and overset us.
I mean the weight of daily care, which in their small details of personal expenditure, and in the careful routine of a household, and in the rearing of children, and in the society of friends, and in the outside duty, and in private affairs, singly and separately is sufficiently burdensome; but altogether, and on one set of shoulders, is sometimes felt to be more than the strength can bear.
Those anxious lives, tempted to be fretful, and hasty, and self-important, and fussed with their incessant activities, may, if rightly interpreted, and manfully grasped, settle down into round and sunny centers of regular, and peaceful, and fruitful activities.
Where there is prayer, there is peace; and God, who makes every duty possible, knows, helps, and cares.
I hope as you think on these things you will find pleasure in knowing that God is Love.
I also found this poem that spoke to me and I hope it does you.
A Prayer At The Well
A Prayer at the Well!
It's night, O Lord, please hear my call;
I know You want my very all.
But wells are deep; how can I give
The wordless pain in which I live!
It's night, O Lord, be swift to hear;
To bring relief for falling tears.
Needless pain, don't let it be;
But healing pain, to set me free.
Be still, My child; My whispers hear.
Lean hard, My child; come very near.
This well so deep with suffering filled
Must empty first, till all is still.
I'll take the hurt; I'll take the strife;
In Hands so strong I'll hold your life.
I'll fill the well with heaven's gain,
When you, My child, give Me the pain.
I'll take it, mold it, make it Mine;
Transform it then to love divine.
Turn sorrow into fullest joy
Far greater than earth's brightest toy.
For toys of earth cannot compare
With Christ your Lord, so real, so fair.
He, Christ alone, demands your all
Give Me that pain, He softly calls.
I shrink, then reach with outstretched hand;
Dredged of self, alone to stand.
Then from the depths of Love so true
The well is filled again, anew.
This time it's not with pain and me,
But Christ my all, my joy to be.
To depths before unknown I climb
His peace, His joy, His life all mine.
For pain so deep, felt all alone,
Is fertile ground for Love--His own!
Love that fills and meets life's need;
O deep, deep well, I'm rich indeed.
Filled up with Him, His love alone;
His way revealed; His glory shone.
O well of deep, dark yesterday;
Embrace the joy He gives today.
O, night, no longer fear your dark;
He stills the aching, struggling heart.
And from that heart--life's deepening well,
Comes love to share; rich joy to tell.
O, night, give way to endless day!
I've found His depths, His highest way!
O, night, give way to morning's dew;
The well is deep; the source is You!
Peggie C. Bohanon
To Encourage You
My thanks to Esther Sister, Mary Lou,
for allowing me to use some of this content.
for allowing me to use some of this content.
