Find Shelter and Rest in God

1 Peter 5:8-9 (NLT)
“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.”

Life can feel overwhelming when the very place that’s supposed to be your safe space—your home—is filled with tension, fear, or emotional pain. When the words spoken to you cut deep, or when you feel like you’re walking on eggshells just to keep the peace, it's hard to know where to turn. But in the middle of that chaos, God is still offering you peace and shelter. Having a covering like this when everything around you feels broken may be hard to understand, but we can be assured that God has all power. He can bring rest even when the situation around you hasn’t changed yet. And as He brings peace on the inside, your external reality will begin to realign with His grace. He’s not blind to what you’re going through. He sees you. He hears your silent prayers. And He invites you to find safety, healing, and everything you need in Him.

The passage in 1 Peter 5:8-9 is a wake-up call. It’s not to scare us, because 1 John 4:18 assures us that there is no fear in love; God’s perfect love casts out fear. So, why is this truth so important? Our Heavenly Father wants us to see the bigger picture. Often, we feel alone, weak, and fall into self-condemnation because the devil is working overtime to make us feel this way. But none of that is true, and the enemy is a liar. In John 8:44, Jesus calls satan the father of lies, so we should never buy into what the enemy is peddling. Our Heavenly Father didn’t create us to live under fear or control. He created us to walk in freedom, dignity, and peace.

In Ephesians 6:10-11 (NLT), God tells us, “Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.” This passage is informing us about God’s spiritual armor, which equips believers to stand strong when the enemy hurls his darts our way. Through Christ, we have received God’s truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and Word. This is everything we need to stand firm in God’s strength. When we put on His armor, we’re choosing to trust in His power, walk in His truth, and remain grounded in His promises no matter what we’re up against.

The kind of pain that comes from abuse doesn’t just wear on your body—it wears on your mind and your soul. This is why God tells us to put on all of His armor so that we can stand firm, but He doesn’t expect us to do it alone. He’s telling us how to lean on His strength and power, understanding that He cannot fail. Isaiah 41:10 (NLT) reminds us, “Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” Trusting Him is everything. Our faith in His willingness and ability to rescue, restore, and bless us is what allows us to step into the rest and shelter He provides. He does all the heavy lifting and invites us to watch Him be at work.

The wisdom of Psalm 91:1 (NLT) tells us, “Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” This is where God wants us—safe in His shelter, steady in His peace. That’s the invitation on the table every single day. And the best part? Even when you fall short, even when you feel like you’re slipping—God’s got you. His love is a cushion, His grace is a shield, and His presence is the rest your soul has been longing for. ■

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

“Find Shelter and Rest in God”, written by Kim for https://rescuefromdomesticviolence.blogspot.com© 2025. All rights reserved. All praise and honor to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

The Unpredictable Valley

 

Psalm 23:4-5(NLT)
“4 Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. 5 You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.”

Sometimes we go through really tough situations in life, and the darkest valleys are often unpredictable. They can land on the scene either at our most vulnerable times or right when we’re pumped and primed for what we think is going to be a promising new beginning. This is exactly what one of my dear friends experienced when he received a life-altering phone call from his son, who had been in a car accident and was arrested for DUI.

At the time, his son had just graduated with a degree in criminal justice and had applied to the police academy—full of hope and ambition. There’s an old saying that just when we think everything is falling into place, something throws a monkey wrench into the works and turns everything upside down. My friend feels this way about his son’s future. Within months, his son found himself burdened with court fines and forced to withdraw his application from the academy. His dream of a career in law enforcement slowly slipped away, all because of one poor decision.

It can feel like the air has been knocked from our lungs when the unexpected changes our circumstances so quickly. But sometimes life is like this. It shows us time and again how unpredictable it can be, with things dramatically shifting within the blink of an eye. It can be challenging to rally ourselves in these moments of uncertainty and upheaval. Things can feel very bleak, but with the Lord, we are never without hope. And we don’t have to be perfect to receive His help. His grace is all we need. As Isaiah 40:29 (NLT) reminds us: “He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.”

In Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT), we read “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” We hear this verse quite frequently, and with good reason. We need to be reminded of God’s omniscience and power every moment of each day. This verse was a source of assurance and comfort to the Israelites who had been exiled to Babylon, an idolatrous place. God’s people had been disobedient; they turned their backs on Him—participating in idolatry themselves. Because of this, they were taken away from their homeland. They were discouraged, displaced, and wanting to get back to the place they once were.

So often, this is the place where many of us find ourselves—far from where we thought we’d be, but we are never alone and without help. Just as God reassured the His people in Old Testament times of His plans for them, He does the same for us. This doesn’t mean there won’t be consequences, but God is faithful even with circumstances look blead. Romans 8:28 (NLT) reminds us that He’s still working things out for our good: “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” Our Heavenly Father has a unique plan for each of us, and nothing we go through is wasted in His hands.

Sure, things may look very different for my friend’s son. The path they mapped out for him may not be where he ends up, but God is the One with the plan. His plan is not hindered by our mistakes, and His grace is more than enough to keep us on track with all He has in store for us. As the psalmist reminds us, in life we can walk through some incredibly dark valley’s—ones that make it seem that all is lost. We may not be able to see a way forward, but God walks with us every step of the way. In those valleys, His presence gives us courage, His grace gives us strength, and His guidance leads us out of the darkness and into the light. There, things may unfold differently than we imagined, but as we continue to lean on Him, we will see that His plan and purpose fulfill us more than we could ever hope. ■

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

“The Unpredictable Valley”, written by Kim for https://rescuefromdomesticviolence.blogspot.com© 2025. All rights reserved. All praise and honor to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.