Most of us go through times when life is running smoothly and we feel like we’re on the mountaintop with God. But soon, we can easily find ourselves in the valley with a mountain of trouble surrounding us on every side. For some, there is far more time in the valley than on the mountaintop, trouble just comes in waves one after the other. Life can get so tough you feel like you’re drowning..
Where can you go when you feel like you are being overwhelmed by trouble? Many people will resort to denial, trying to ignore the problems. “Don’t think about them and maybe they’ll go away.” Others try escapism. They try to run away from their problems and only end up finding more problems wherever they run.
But, there is an amazing place of refuge, not in denial or escape, but right in the face of the biggest mountains and the fiercest waves of trouble. It is the presence of God.
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling.
(Psalm 46:1-3 ESV)
These verses describe a calm, a peace, and a fearlessness in the face of life’s worst catastrophes. The whole world is falling apart all around, but there is no fear. How can this be? It comes from finding your refuge – your place of safety and protection, your shelter – in God. It comes from finding your strength in God. It comes from the very real presence of God.
"The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock!
Exalted be God, the Rock, my Savior!
(2 Samuel 22:47 NIV)
When I enter into and abide in the presence of God, the overwhelming problems of life don’t go away, but they are no longer overwhelming. When I enter into the place of intimate fellowship with God and get even a small glimpse of His glorious greatness, I become overwhelmed with Him, and my problems begin to diminish in my eyes. It’s not that the mountains of problems get smaller, it’s just that now I am standing on an even bigger, more awesome and stable mountain. Now, I look at those mountains from the grand vista of God’s awesome glory.
In God’s presence, I gaze at and contemplate on the God who has perfect knowledge of all my problems. I see a God who is perfect in His wisdom and plan for my life and my problems. I see an all-powerful, merciful and gracious God who can and will turn these mountains into stepping stones on which I rise to new heights of character and growth. And I see a God who is sovereign and faithful in caring for me as I walk through the valleys.
When thoughts of my problems swirl around in my head like a hurricane, it can be very difficult to focus my thoughts on the glories of God’s character. It takes determined, focused effort to concentrate and meditate on who God is. I must stick with it until I find refuge, until I find stability and peace in His presence.
How do I do it? I take one of God’s attributes at a time and focus my attention on it and meditate on it. I remind myself that God is sovereign – my problems may seem out of control to me, but God is in full control. I think of His infinite knowledge and wisdom and remind myself that He knows more about my problems than I do and He has a perfect, wise plan to use them for my good and His glory. I remind myself that God is good, gracious, merciful and faithful.
As thoughts of the problems come to my mind and I begin to get distracted and disturbed, I force myself to refocus on the character of God. Slowly, but surely, I begin to gain perspective. As I abide in His presence beholding glory, I actually begin to rest in His presence, find peace in His presence. Now that the threatening thoughts of my problems are far away, now that I am standing on the rock of God’s glory, now, I can begin to look at and think about my problems from God’s perspective. And I can do it calmly, peacefully, and with confidence because I am resting in Him. I am standing with unwavering stability on the Rock of my salvation. I must not be satisfied until I have found this place of safety, security, peace, and calm.
Are you facing problems that threaten to overwhelm you? God invites you, God longs for you to come into His presence. Sit down, curl up with Him in His strong arms, gaze upon His glory. Look intently at that wonder of who He is. Be overwhelmed by an infinitely awesome God.
Come into His presence. He wants to help you think straight, see clearly, find strength, wisdom, direction, hope, peace, stability. Listen to Him comfort you and speak to you. Come into His presence. He’s waiting for you.
SDG
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