So much of following God depends on believing in and seeking out what we can’t see.
Which, as it happens, is exactly how the Bible says it should be:
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see (Hebrews 11:1 NIV).
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal (2 Corinthians 4:18 NIV).
But then life and challenges get right in our faces. It’s hard to see past them.
In those moments, the problems and the fears can feel more real than the truth. So how do we trust God when we can’t see him? And yet all the while, we can see our troubles?
Often in these circumstances, we hear from others or tell ourselves the expression, “Just take refuge in God!” Or, “Just trust Him!” The Bible even tells us to do this in Psalm 34:8 NIV, in light of our fears:
It seems like a positive mindset to pursue. But in practice, it feels a little ambiguous.
How exactly do I take refuge in God?
First off, what is the meaning of refuge? A refuge is defined as “shelter or protection from danger or distress.” Taking refuge is like finding a safe place during a storm, or getting comfort in a time of trouble.
How can I do that with a God who isn’t physically right next to me, who doesn’t talk directly to me, who doesn’t physically pick me up and put me in a protective place when things get dangerous?
Well, let’s look at it from a different perspective.
We always take refuge in something.
For me? One of the things I’ve looked to for “refuge” is food.
Here’s a (silly) example. Back when I was a new mom and nursing, we discovered that my eating certain foods was causing tummy trouble for our baby. All the while, I was hitting my favorite comfort food hard, since it was an emotional and exhausting time.
I found myself crying and getting upset (like a baby, actually) about having to avoid dairy. To be fair, that was a vulnerable season of life. But you had to pry me away from the chocolate, which is kind of laughable now. I was pretty stubborn about holding onto something when giving it up would make everyone feel better in the long run.
I don’t know that that is an example where I “should have” taken refuge in God instead. I think it was just a hard time. BUT I have noticed it’s a pattern for me – one of the things I go to for comfort is food. I try to get my security from it, but it doesn’t solve the problem.
We look to something to find comfort. But it doesn’t really offer protection.
Other things I can take refuge in? Shopping, social media, TV. I can choose to “escape” life for a little while by browsing stores online, scrolling through my news feed, or watching some show or movie.
Let’s take a step back. Watching a movie to take a break for a bit is not a sin. Shopping or even just window shopping is not a sin.
Here’s where the problem comes in: when that is my first response to a sign of challenges. When I ignore the problem and pin pretty pictures on Pinterest instead. When binge-watching The Office becomes a priority and everything else goes on hold.
So whether or not I see it that way, I do take refuge in something.
What does it take to transfer that dependance on food or shopping or TV (or whatever it is for you) into a dependence on God? Or, what does it mean to take refuge in God instead?
Taking comfort in scriptures.
God may not speak to me directly. (Thankfully – that would be pretty intense.) But he does write words – words of comfort, love, mercy, truth, and kindness to us in his Word.
I have certain verses I go to again and again when I’m hurting. Some of them are Lamentations 3:22-23, Psalm 34:17-18, and Isaiah 40:27-31. They remind me that God is for me, and that no matter what the situation is, I can depend on him to have purpose for me and to work it out for my good.
Finding direction in scriptures.
2 Timothy 3:16-17, NIV, says, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
When I go to things in this world to get comfort, I’m not actually solving any problems. It’s just an escape.
But when I go to God’s Word, there are answers waiting for me. Maybe not every detail, but at least direction toward being godly, while I either wait for a clear answer or take the next best step.
Prayer.
When we feel like we have nothing to give or do or offer, we actually always have the most powerful thing – prayer. (Thank you to a reader for calling out some wrong wording previously here.) Sometimes it doesn’t seem very powerful – it’s just talking, isn’t it?
Until I remember who I’m talking to – the Creator of the universe, the Lord of all, the all-powerful. All of that, and he actually cares about me, my feelings and the outcome. He is the most powerful and cares the most. God wants to hear our hearts, to lay out our requests before him, and to trust him.
When you take refuge in something physical, you are trusting it will take care of you or at least make you feel safe and secure. When we take refuge in God, we are offering that trust to him instead. Through prayer, we surrender our fears and failures, and tap in to his perspective. It’s not just talking.
Do what you can.
This all doesn’t mean inaction. If you can do something, if it’s a wise choice forward, please go ahead and do it. Especially if it’s an issue of immediate physical danger, please don’t stay out in the storm (literal or metaphorical), waiting for God to do something.
When the answer is more vague, get help from God’s word, pray, and seek advice from trusted friends about the next step.
And the Key: Consistency.
I’m thinking a lot lately about the concept of dwelling in God, keeping a steady pace with him, and not just running to him when it’s an emergency. (Which is more of my tendency.)
Good habits and addictions kind of start the same way: they start as something you continually choose to pursue, until eventually they become second-nature. It depends on what you go to first.
My goal is to have consistency in my walk with God, so that when hardships hit, they don’t seem so devastating, and it doesn’t seem like such a leap to run to God.
It’s more straightforward and simple than we can believe.
When those things are done, when scriptures are dug through and words are said to God, then I feel more confident to face the challenges. And then, I can give myself time to enjoy something that might make me feel better in the moment.
How about you?
What do you run to for comfort or refuge? How can you take refuge in God instead?
Scriptures are quoted from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Photo Credit:
1 – Tracey Hocking on Unsplash
2 – Arthur Osipyan on Unsplash
3 & 4 – Hannah Olinger on Unsplash
Thanks Jenn for sharing ! I am so blessed by your posts. It’s hard to reconize His presence, His love, His comfort on our Daily life and challenges ! (Specifically in our wife and mother everyday life !) Yesterday I listened Priscilla shirer and she said that we have to know that GOd IS invisible like Satan is. That’s why we have to keep the word of god by faith to comfort us, to have more strenght and fight .
Be blessed
Vanessa from France
That is so encouraging to hear, Vanessa. So cool to connect with you, being countries away! 🙂 I agree – everyday life can be so distracting. So grateful for scriptures to hold on to.
You truly blessed me and Im so thankful & grateful for the Understanding the way to put the words. This life is not easy when there is so much destraction of this word. What came from the mouth LORD I TAKE REFUGE IN YOU. Amen. Blessings to All. In Jesus Name Amen
I’m so glad to hear that! I hope you stay encouraged. Thanks for stopping by.
Thank you for this one. It’s always good to be reminded of things like this 🥰
So glad it is encouraging for you! Thanks for visiting! 🙂
Thanks a lot. Am going through serious challenge in life that I feel like giving up at times but I can’t just state my challenges here. But I seriously need help.
I’m so sorry to hear that. Praying that your situation will change for the better, and that you find help and support to keep going, both from God and from people.
Hi, meditate on “ The Lord is my Shepherd , I shall not want. He makes me lay down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters, He restores my soul. Even when I walk through the vally of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, Your rod and Your staff, it comforts me. You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows. Surly goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I shal dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23:1-6 It sounds allot here to find your refuge in Him. You can see the hole scripture in your mind. He will take care of His flock…Im here because my scripture that I learn on verselocker app today is Psalm 34:8. I wanted to know what the meaning of refuge is, because im afrikaans, but I learn verses in english to be able to encourage all people, because almost all people can understand English… love you all with the love from Jesus.
I wrote it here out of my head, wow! Copy and paste didn’t work. But it is good to learn scriptures to keep it in your hard, because the word also says that it brings healing to our flesh in Proverbs 24 I think… stay strong because the word also says that when Im weak, He is strong in me. Love you all from Kimberley, South Africa🌸
Such a beautiful verse! Thank you for sharing, Kimberley. So glad you are here.
This was very helpful to me. I needed this today. And now I know how to take refuge in God,and what it means to be able to do it. Thank you soooooo much for sharing this gold nugget of wisdom. Awsome. A answer to prayer.
That is such a joy to hear, Darnetta! I hope you are able to find rest in God today. Thank you for visiting.
I”ve always had a huge problem understanding what taking refuge in God means. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR CLARIFYING THIS…. GOD BLESS YOU
Thank you for visiting, Joan! I’m so glad you were able to find some direction with these scriptures, and I hope it helps you feel confident taking refuge in God.
I thank you for explaining about the refuge of God and it made so clearer to me. I really didn’t understand what it meant at first, but reading your story made it better. I am learning to get my walk with God better. I had fell off, but I was afraid He didn’t want me. I will be praying and reading these scriptures you have given and will study them as well. So thank you again. And please pray my strength to be better with Christ.
Hi Jeanine! I am so glad you came by. I absolutely relate to that feeling and felt it for a long time – that God didn’t want me. Most of the time I’d go to scriptures and see all the ways I fell short. Luckily I’ve had friends redirect me to scripture to see that God loves us unconditionally, and sees us as worthy and enough, even when we don’t feel that way. I hope these scriptures are the start of your journey towards feeling surrounded by God’s incredible love and goodness. He longs to be close to you! Sending prayers for sure!
Thank you!!
Thank YOU for visiting! I hope it was encouraging 🙂
Thank you for the very clear understanding of how I can take refuge in God. It makes it also easier to explain to others how they can as well. Continuous blessings to you!
I’m so glad to hear that! Usually I write on things that I need to figure out for myself 😀 So I’m always glad to know it’s helpful for others too! Thanks for saying hi 🙂
God was God is and God will always be. He is my refuge
Amen! Thanks for visiting, Lizzie.
Great post except for one thing. What you said about prayer isn’t really so biblical: “When we have nothing else, we have prayer.” Prayer should be the very first thing we actually do. Prayer is where the power is. Why do I (we) so many times under estimate and under value prayer? Do we really believe that what we choose to do is the best for us? I believe that God knows what He is doing. We go to Him for answers and guidance. By prayer, we tell Him what is on our heart and ask that He leads, while listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit. After the prayer, we open the word of God and read, still listening carefully to the Holy Spirit. Prayer is a necessity for a Christian’s life. A lot of prayer, a lot of power. Little prayer, little power. No prayer, no power.
I appreciate you calling attention to this! You are so right – this gives the impression of, “when all else fails, then pray,” and that is not biblical. That wording needs to be adjusted. I think what I was hoping to get across was, “when we feel like we have nothing, we always have prayer.” And as you noted – prayer is the most powerful thing. It’s not a last resort. Thank you.
Thank you so much for such a powerful explanation and exposition of God’s Word. You truly enlightened, encouraged, and empowered me to clearly understand what it means to take refuge in God. So now, my challenge is not only to know it, but more importantly to do it! May God richly bless you as you share His Riches so freely and faithfully.
That is so encouraging to hear! Thank you, Willie. Keep fighting that good fight.
Right on time in 2021! God’s Word is ALIVE!
Amen to that! He is just as able and willing to be our refuge now as ever before <3