This year has been the oddest for sure. Holiday plans being canceled seems to be the last straw for many. But, my friend, do not be dismayed, we have ever-present help and everlasting hope. Jeremiah tells us God is our strength, fortress, and refuge. Also during unprecedented times like this.

Lord, my strength and my fortress,
    my refuge in time of distress.
(Jeremiah 16:19, NIV,*)

So whenever you start panicking or distressing, turn to God instead. This might sound too simple but it works. Yet we easily forget this when things start getting tough. But there’s no strength in ourselves and there’s no hope without Jesus. We need to turn to God.

God is our refuge and strength [mighty and impenetrable],
A very present and well-proved help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear… (Ps. 46:1-2a, AMP,*)

God is …

When we do remember to turn to God in the time of our need, we are helped. God is our strength. And his strength is precisely made perfect in our weakness. So let’s stop trying to manage on our own and welcome God’s help.

God is our fortress when we feel we’re under attack. And he is our safe retreat when we need a place to calm down. Just like Jeremiah, we can experience God’s presence in the midst of chaos. God is our strength, fortress, and refuge too if we allow him to be. It’s a no-brainer to me, how about you?

… our strength, fortress, and refuge

So whenever you are fearful or feel frustrated or are depressed, turn to God. Let him help you. Prayerfully read his word until you can feel his presence. Pray until praise flows. And give thanks in all circumstances. Something amazing happens when we invite Jesus into our troubles and praise his name no matter what.

“Blessed [with spiritual security] is the man who believes and trusts in and relies on the Lord
And whose hope and confident expectation is the Lord.
“For he will be [nourished] like a tree planted by the waters,
That spreads out its roots by the river;
And will not fear the heat when it comes;
But its leaves will be green and moist.
And it will not be anxious and concerned in a year of drought
Nor stop bearing fruit.
(Jeremiah 17:7-8, AMP,*)

God has promised to bless those who believe and trust in and rely on him and who have made the Lord their hope and confidence. He has promised to be our strength, fortress, and refuge. That’s why I build my life on Jesus. I choose to trust in him, rely on him, and be confident in him even when times are tough. God is good, all the time.

Let us pray

Dear God,
We come to you disappointed, frustrated, exhausted, we need you.
Be our strength, fortress, and refuge, be our everything.
We choose to trust in you, rely on you, and be confident and hopeful in you.
Bless us, Lord. Bless us, Lord. Bless us, Lord.
You are our only hope but you are more than enough.
Thank you for your generosity, grace, and loving-kindness.
We praise you forevermore!
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Q4U: How do you stay hopeful in the midst of hardships?

Blessings to you, my fellow pilgrim, as you turn to God with everything that bothers you. Receive all the blessings God has for those who believe in him!

Photo by Trevor McKinnon on Unsplash.