Why Do We Refuse Refuge?

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea..."

-Psalm 46:1-2

I'm learning a lot from my little stray dog Toby. You met him in the last post. Last night, Tom and I were down at the barn with Jack, our purchased King Charles Spaniel and Toby, our stray who found us on a cold, rainy October night last year. Both "boys" are well cared for and benefit from all the comforts of living indoors, from microwaved food (Tom does this, not me!) to snuggling in any one of the warm beds that are available for the taking. Despite Jack and Toby's current living conditions and blessings, if you will, a little rain last night made it apparent that their current creature comforts does not erase their pasts.

When the rain began hitting the metal barn roof, Toby lost all sense of well-being. It was as if he was taken back to his days of scrounging for food, warmth, and safety. He was visibly shaking and pacing about. On the contrary, Jack was literally snoring on the couch as if the rain lulled him to sleep. It is no secret why they differed in their reaction to the rain. Toby has experienced trauma and hardship while the greatest trauma Jack has experienced is when Tom leaves the house momentarily. He has a serious case of separation anxiety from Tom even though he was supposed to be my dog.

In an attempt to comfort, I pulled Toby into my lap to try and hold him and pet him. Despite my best efforts to soothe, Toby would not remain with me. He insisted on going through his fear of the storm on the floor, alone.

This made me think of our relationship with God. Throughout the Bible, there are countless examples of God's love for us and His ability to comfort us in our times of trouble. Never did He promise us that we would live trouble free lives, in fact He stated just the opposite.

"In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

-John 16:33

However, He did give us the promise of comfort in our troublesome times if we would only seek Him.

"May your unfailing love be my comfort according to your promise to your servant."

-Psalm 119:76

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."

-Psalm 23:4

Comfort is not all God offers us; he freely offers refuge from our enemies and peace when our minds and hearts are in turmoil.

"The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemy before you..."

-Deuteronomy 33:27

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your heats be troubled and do not be afraid."

-John 14:27

This storm scenario had me pondering how foolish we are when we don't allow God to comfort us. Why do we try and go through the storms of life alone rather than find peace and comfort in him? Why don't we seek Him as our refuge when our hearts are troubled and our minds are burdened? I don't have the answers to these questions for you or for me but I know that the offer of God's comfort is always available for the taking.

If Toby had allowed me to comfort him, he would not have had to shiver and shake alone on the floor. My lap, reassuring touch, and words of encouragement to not fear the storm were all freely available to him, yet he refused. He refused me as his refuge even though I was more than capable of comforting him. This is true for us as well.

God is more than capable of comforting us in our times of need. We have the choice to continue to refuse Him. We have the choice to remain alone in our troubles in our limited capacity to change anything about our circumstances or we can seek His refuge, His comfort.

Toby couldn't change the storm but he did have an alternate way of going through the storm. We have a choice in how we choose to weather our next storm, alone or in refuge. God has been my refuge as I have been on this journey. Some days I sneak out for a stroll out on my own but I always find my way back to Him. God has been my comfort and my rock as I trust Him for whatever lies ahead in my future. Whatever storm you are currently in or about to go through, seek Him, trust Him. He is waiting with outstretched arms to comfort you. Will you allow Him?

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most high will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.' Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be our shield and rampart."

-Psalm 91:1-4