Come hell or high water...

What are you like when you lose your safety net?

James Dobson has a quote that I quite like: “make no important, life shaping decisions quickly or impulsively and when in doubt, stall for time”.

Women especially, like to have a sense of safety and well being. They like being settled into a place where they know they are liked, loved and appreciated…valued. Men like routine, to know they are usual and productive. We all have our touchstones, even the risk takers.

So, what happens when you lose your safety net? What happens when home is no longer safe or the person that swore to love you forever doesn’t anymore? What do you do when your best friend betrays you or that think you were counting on, disappears? Where do you run?

The Book of Psalms is full of David’s lamenting about such things and like him, we should run into the arms of God:

Our God is a mighty God who saves us over and over! Psalms 68:20a

All who are oppressed may come to you as a shelter in the time of trouble, a perfect hiding place. May everyone who knows your mercy keep putting their trust in you, for they can count on you for help no matter what. O Lord, you will never, no never, neglect those who come to you. Psalm 6:9-10

When you sit enthroned under the shadow of Shaddai, you are hidden in the strength of God Most High. He’s the hope that holds me and the Stronghold to shelter me, the only God for me, and my great confidence. Psalm 91:1-2

Betrayal hurts and the bad times suck but the Bible promises us in Isaiah 40:31: but those who trust in the Eternal One will regain their strength. They will soar on wings as eagles. They will run—never winded, never weary. They will walk—never tired, never faint. That word provides hope that no matter what happens to you, if you put your trust in Him, you will have what you need to persevere. He is an undaunted, renewable energy source and as believer, you can draw on His strength to pull you through…come hell or high water.

I encourage you to not let satan convince you that you are alone in whatever trial or hard time you might be surviving right now. He wants you to believe that you are alone, so he can isolate you, cut the ties that bind you to what is real and true. Instead, reach out and if the first hand you grab smacks you away, keep reaching until you find one that holds firm. Refuse to trust the deception of the father of lies and chose to KNOW what your eyes can’t see and your heart can’t feel…that you are truly and completely adored and deeply loved by the ONE who created you and that He is always as close as your next breath, all you need to do it continue to breathe and believe.