I sat on the end of my bed holding my hands over my face and began to weep uncontrollably. I felt so all alone, torn, confused, ashamed, bitter… Because of my poor choices and sinful, selfish desires, my entire world had come crashing down. My marriage was falling apart right before my eyes and I did not even recognize the phony person I had become. My thoughts were being haunted by the images of fear and anxiety that overshadowed my two small children’s faces. How had I allowed myself to have feelings for another man?
I had been involved in church all of my life, taught Sunday school, participated in dramas, the church choir and now I had found myself right smack dab in the middle of a violent unexpected spiritual storm. Just like an out of control tornado, this storm had erupted and swept in and caught my family completely off guard. It seemed as if the turbulent, high paced winds and waves were caving in all around me. They threatened to bring me down.
The Despair of The Storm
My heart was filled with so much discouragement. The enemy had me just where he wanted me. I felt as if there was no hope. How would “we” ever get out of this tangled mess? How could “I” fix something so broken, how could my husband and family ever trust me again? How could “I” ever allow myself to forgive my enemies for their bitter words? How would “I” ever repair the financial hardship and strain I had placed on our family by forcing my husband to live away from the home we had come to love? This storm had caused so much despair.
“I” Couldn’t Fix A Thing
“I” couldn’t fix a thing! I needed a healer, a restorer, a rebuilder, a comforter, an encourager, a close friend. Broken, humbled, and desperate for answers, I looked toward the ceiling of my bedroom and cried out to GOD with everything that was in me. GOD, I need you to come to myrescue! Everything looks hopeless. It was in the arms of my loving savior that I found REFUGE.
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. ~Psalm 46:1-3.
R- Redeemer/Restorer-Only God can put the pieces back together again. Want to restore what the enemy has stolen? Fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith! You will be restored in Jesus’ name, Amen!
E- Enough– GOD was more than enough! For so long I had depended on other people to fill all my needs. I was expecting my husband to be my God! I was so wrong. I found out there is only one who can satisfy. You see regardless of what is going on all around you, our GOD is still on His throne! The resources of heaven have NOT been depleted. Right now you may be in a panic field state of mind in the middle of this storm, but GOD is not the slightest bit worried. He saw this coming long before you did. He is still large and very much in charge!!!
F- Faithful – There were so many things that I had placed my trust in: comfortable savings account, a two story home, a nice car, friends, clothes, my job. I found out that there is only one unfailing, unchanging thing and that is my GOD’s faithfulness. We can follow, believe, trust and be comforted in the fact that the GOD we serve is faithful to all that love him, faithful even to the very end. He is loyal, He is constant and He is steadfast. He does not abandon us. Friends and family members may desert us, but our GOD will always be faithful!
Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.~Deuteronomy 7:9
U- Unparalleled- There is none like Him! No one compares to God Almighty. He is unequalled and unparalleled his greatness, his kindness and His love.
G- God Almighty- In Genesis 17 verse 11 and Genesis 35 verse 11, He says, “ I am the Almighty God.” You see, He was here even before the world was created. My God can do and undo, He can open doors that no man can shut and shuts doors that no man can open. He can create divine opportunities, restore checking and savings accounts, redeem broken marriages and heal your disease even when the doctors have lost all hope. My God can breathe life into your hopeless situation. He is ALMIGHTY!
E- Everlasting –Our God is an everlasting God. He has been here since before the beginning of creation; He will continue to be there even when the world has passed away.
GOD IS MY REFUGE!
Storms will come and we will face tragedies and unexpected warfare. I don’t care how anointed or how spiritual you are, there is an enemy and he is on a desperate mission. The Bible says he has come to kill, steal anddestroy! Buckle down, get ready for the strong winds, the lightning and thunder. Be prayed up, in the word of God and remember GOD IS WITH US in the midst of the storm. He wants to be your REFUGE.
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