Shelter is something we all seek from time to time.  Physically, we instinctively move for cover during a storm.  Imagine enjoying a peaceful picnic with your family by a lake, and suddenly a massive rain cloud is rolling toward you.  Would you slowly saunter back to your car?  Or would you break into a sprint to avoid getting caught in torrential rain?  If you’re like me, you would run… not walk to safety.

I believe the same goes for our emotional and spiritual shelter.  While trials and temptations can occur seemingly out of nowhere, we can still have peace.

Jesus invites us to cling to Him:

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Matthew 11:29

If we show Him we love Him by obeying His Word and take advantage of the rich blessings of prayer, His safe haven will be waiting for us.

I have endured storms in this life.  My heart has been torn, my soul weary. I admit that at first, my futile temptation during these times is to fix the problem on my own.  But when my mind is spinning from getting nowhere and I remember how little control I truly have over life, I call on the name of the Lord.  While I am weak in these times, I feel His presence, peace, and strength.  I am not alone.

Jesus said:

Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.

Matthew 23:37

King David leaned on God, and was called “a man after God’s own heart.”  He battled a giant with only a sling and a few stones, survived several assasination attemps from King Saul, weathered threats from other nations, and endured having his own son attempt to kill him and usurp his thrown.  Throughout all of this, David maintained a deep faith in God.  He praised God with a humble heart and gave Him the glory for everything.

King David said:

The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my savior; you save me from violence.  I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.

2 Samuel 22:2-4

I believe God provides others around us to help strengthen us.  As I wrote in my article about confidants, Godly relationships can bring His comfort on the wings of their love.  When I think of some of you who have rescued me and strengthened my hand in the Lord, I am forever thankful.  I hope to be a reflection of God’s love and comfort to others in dark times of their lives as you have been in mine.

This reminds me of something Jesus said about how important it is to Him that we care for others:

Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.  For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

Matthew 25:34-40

My soul rejoices that the Creator of the Universe is willing to stand by me and protect me.  His Shelter is within your grasp.  Reach out to Him, follow His commandments, and serve Him with all your heart.

With God on your side, you will always weather the storm.