Finding Refuge in the Middle of the Mess
"The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.
Those who know Your name, trust in You, for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You."
Psalm 9:9-10
The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Psalm 9:9
This week has been one for the books. Our air conditioner quit during the hottest week of the summer here in Dallas, Texas, and we’re smack in the middle of a master bathroom, closet, and bedroom remodel. That means all our belongings are crammed into the living room, family room, and dining area. My craft room is upstairs — where it’s 90 degrees in the afternoons — which makes it far too hot to work!
Between the heat, the mess, and the feeling of being behind, I’ve been cranky, frustrated, and yes, more than a little “woe is me.”
But when I opened my Bible to Psalm 9:9–10 for Day 5 of the August Scripture Challenge, God gently stopped me in my tracks:
“The Lord is a refuge… a stronghold in times of trouble.”
Ouch. I had spent the better part of the week complaining instead of seeking Him as my refuge. I was so focused on the discomfort of my current situation that I forgot to anchor my heart in His faithfulness.
Webster’s Dictionary defines refuge as:
shelter or protection from danger or distress
a place that provides shelter or protection
something to which one has recourse in difficulty
And then, the song “Goodness of God” started playing in my head:
And all my life You have been faithful
And all my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God.
The first verse says, “From the moment I wake up until I lay my head down, I will sing of the goodness of God.” God’s mercy has never failed me — even when I fail to notice, and even when I’ve failed Him.
The truth is, the very remodel that’s causing chaos right now was on my 2024 vision board. It’s a blessing in progress. The work is messy, uncomfortable, and inconvenient — but it’s leading to something beautiful.
Isn’t that so often how God works? In the middle of life’s heatwaves and construction zones (literal and figurative), we can lose sight of His goodness. But when we step back and look, we see that even here — even now — we are held in His hands.
Today, I want to shift my perspective from frustration to gratitude. I want to remember that the Lord has never forsaken me, and He’s not about to start now. My job is to seek Him, trust Him, and rest in the truth that He is my stronghold.
Refuge - shelter or protection from danger or distress (Webster’s Dictionary)
Reflection Questions
Where in your life right now do you feel “oppressed” or weighed down by circumstances?
How can you actively turn to God as your refuge instead of relying on your own strength?
What blessings might be hiding in your current “mess” that you can thank Him for today?
Prayer
Lord, thank You for being my refuge and stronghold, even when I forget to run to You first. Forgive me for letting complaints fill my heart instead of praise. Help me to trust Your goodness, even when I can’t see the end result yet. Remind me that You have never — and will never — forsake those who seek You. I choose today to rest in Your hands and sing of Your faithfulness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.