Word of the Week - Refuge and Strength in times of trouble
"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging." Psalm 46: 1-3
Life is filled with all types of experiences that include: joyous celebrations, challenging situations, spontaneous encounters, exciting adventures, triumphant victories and unfortunately sometime tragic events that we did not see coming. I have heard it said that we are all either approaching a storm, in a storm or coming out of a storm. So what do we do on those days when we find ourselves in the middle of the storms of life and tragedy. When we get the unexpected phone call about the plane going down, like happened yesterday in my home town of Lafayette, LA where 5 lives were ended (3 of whom I knew personally), or the call about the diagnosis of Cancer for a loved one etc. The reality is that we will all face these types of situations in life, the real question is how will we process and deal with these storms. I love God’s word because it is full of true life stories where people like you and me were facing tremendous peril and tragedy and God used these situations to show His love and power by providing the strength and peace needed to weather the storms of life and ultimately overcome in victory. I also love God’s heart as stated in the verse about that “He is our refuge and strength, and He is present as our helper and comforter in times of trouble”. He does His best work in us and through us in the challenging and tragic storms and circumstances of life.As our refuge, God provides covering and protection to us so we can find comfort, protection and peace in the middle of the storm. We literally can get under His covering and find rest in the midst of the emotional chaos, which is what we need when we are struggling with tragedy. We simply need to look to Him and call upon His name and trust that He will show up and give us what we need. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!” Psalm 91:2As our strength, God allows us to face these trials and tragedies with courage and He actually emboldens us to step up so we can extend love and empathy to those around us who are also facing the storm but may not have the hope of faith in Christ. So many times our first instinct is to try to fix things in our own strength but I have learned through my experiences in life to look to the Lord for His supply of strength. He will give us the divine strength we need to rise to the occasion. An example of this was the amazing strength Coach Ensminger’s displayed in last night game after just finding out the tragic news about his 30 year old daughter-in-law perishing in the plane crash yesterday morning. This is a quote from Ensminger’s player and wife last night after the game “For Coach E to come out and call the plays he called… somebody was watching over him,” says running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Asked in the postgame celebration how her husband did it, Amy Ensminger’s eyes begin to swell with tears and she points up to the heavens, “God,” she whispers.” See https://www.si.com/college/2019/12/29/steve-ensminger-lsu-carley-mccord-death for full story from Sports Illustrated article. This is the essence of our faith, to trust God when all hope seems lost and we are broken and distraught by the calamity of life. Somehow in the midst of the pain and darkness, through faith and trust in Him, He shows up and His light and love supplies us what we need. He cast out fear and brings joy, hope and peace that allows us to receive the love of God and gives us the capacity to extend this love to others to encourage them in these times of need. He is ever-present to those who know Him and call upon His name.I pray God’s blessings over you and your family in the New Year…..-Duane