At the end of the last video, I talked about what was the result of this time of refining fire. Most refining fire does not come from God Himself, but instead from an attack from our enemy or from our own unwise decisions. In the case of my missing cat, I truly believe this was an attack from the enemy. He knows just what buttons to push to cause us unease and chaos in our lives keeping us distracted from the way of God.
I also stated there were 3 questions that I usually ask God when going through rough times. These questions are:
Is this a storm I need to go through or is this something I need to pray that will dissipate and cause no harm?
I ask God what I am to learn from this trial/storm?
I ask God how He can get Glory from this situation?
To be honest with you, often during these times my first response is how can I personally figure out this issue. I get distracted about the circumstances around me and lose focus on the One that is always faithful and will give me strategy to overcome.
Have you ever been at a place in your life where things just seemed hopeless? You have done all you know to do yet you are still in the midst of a storm that seems it will not let up. Have you ever had what you thought was a God given dream, yet it seems it has just shriveled up and died with no hope for it to live again. I have been there. It has been so intense that you are hopeless, heart sick.
Proverb 12:12
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.
When we lose hope and we are down trodden, we are endanger of losing all hope in the Father that is always faithful. The second part of Proverbs 12:12 says “a desire fulfilled is a tree of life”. If we continue to hope and trust in the promises of God we will see our God given desires fulfilled.
When I finally realized where my sweet cat was, I thought she would be so glad to see me that she would come running to me. Even though she knew I was a safe place to run, she was so afraid that she remained in her hiding place. I put food out, I called her and I sat waiting for her to come, but she refused to come to me.
One of the things I learn during the two days that she went missing was that she did exactly what I have done in the past. Some of you probably have done the same thing and may be doing it right now. Sometimes it seems to be easier to avoid the craziness of life than face it head on. People can be mean and circumstances of life can be so hard to deal with that it seems easier to just hide away in our safe space, hoping it will all go away or right itself with no intervention on our part. We choose to stay right where we are instead of walking courageously making new friends, conquering new territories or forgiving those that have hurt us.
During these times Jesus is waiting to comfort us and lead us into new territory or reclaim old territory. Jesus said just that to the people of Jerusalem in the book of Matthew. Even though they had done evil, He was desiring to come to their rescue, He desired to forgive them. In this scripture He talks about gathering them to Himself and protecting them as a hen gathers her little chicks under her wings to protect them from predators.
Lament over Jerusalem
Matthew 23:37
37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!
He is saying the same to you today. He promises to cover you with His wings. You can find refuge in His arms. He is always faithful.
My Refuge and My Fortress
Psalm 91:4
4 He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
The problem with you and me is that we want to figure it out ourselves. We want to do it like we always have. We want to use the logic of man instead of seeking the wisdom of God. We only go to Him after we have exhausted all other means.
When my cat failed to trust me enough to come out on her own, I sought God for strategy. The guidance that was given to me was to shine a light underneath my heating system. This I thought would accomplish 2 things: allow me to see exactly where she was and hopefully get her attention. So, I lay on the ground and shined a light under the system. When she saw the light and my face, she came to the slot but still would not come out. I placed my hand inside the slot with some hesitation she came to my hand and allowed me to rub her head but still would not come out. She longed for my touch but was not willing to trust me enough to come out of her hiding place, her safe space. Isn’t that a lot like us. Many times, we are satisfied with His touch but will not trust Him enough to follow His instruction for our lives. Finally, I had to pull her out. Once she was in my arms, she did not fight me. She felt the safety of my arms. She trusted that I would keep her safe. If only we would do the same with Jesus.
In conclusion:
If you have followed me there is a scripture that you have heard me mention many times that I have tried to live by.
Proverbs 3:5-7
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.
Today I challenge you to get out of your safe space that is blocking the Savior from coming to your rescue.
Take the first step to trusting Him with everything in your life.
Sheltered in His Arms
September 17, 2025 by admin • blog • 0 Comments
I also stated there were 3 questions that I usually ask God when going through rough times. These questions are:
To be honest with you, often during these times my first response is how can I personally figure out this issue. I get distracted about the circumstances around me and lose focus on the One that is always faithful and will give me strategy to overcome.
Have you ever been at a place in your life where things just seemed hopeless? You have done all you know to do yet you are still in the midst of a storm that seems it will not let up. Have you ever had what you thought was a God given dream, yet it seems it has just shriveled up and died with no hope for it to live again. I have been there. It has been so intense that you are hopeless, heart sick.
Proverb 12:12
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.
When we lose hope and we are down trodden, we are endanger of losing all hope in the Father that is always faithful. The second part of Proverbs 12:12 says “a desire fulfilled is a tree of life”. If we continue to hope and trust in the promises of God we will see our God given desires fulfilled.
When I finally realized where my sweet cat was, I thought she would be so glad to see me that she would come running to me. Even though she knew I was a safe place to run, she was so afraid that she remained in her hiding place. I put food out, I called her and I sat waiting for her to come, but she refused to come to me.
One of the things I learn during the two days that she went missing was that she did exactly what I have done in the past. Some of you probably have done the same thing and may be doing it right now. Sometimes it seems to be easier to avoid the craziness of life than face it head on. People can be mean and circumstances of life can be so hard to deal with that it seems easier to just hide away in our safe space, hoping it will all go away or right itself with no intervention on our part. We choose to stay right where we are instead of walking courageously making new friends, conquering new territories or forgiving those that have hurt us.
During these times Jesus is waiting to comfort us and lead us into new territory or reclaim old territory. Jesus said just that to the people of Jerusalem in the book of Matthew. Even though they had done evil, He was desiring to come to their rescue, He desired to forgive them. In this scripture He talks about gathering them to Himself and protecting them as a hen gathers her little chicks under her wings to protect them from predators.
Lament over Jerusalem
Matthew 23:37
37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!
He is saying the same to you today. He promises to cover you with His wings. You can find refuge in His arms. He is always faithful.
My Refuge and My Fortress
Psalm 91:4
4 He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
When my cat failed to trust me enough to come out on her own, I sought God for strategy. The guidance that was given to me was to shine a light underneath my heating system. This I thought would accomplish 2 things: allow me to see exactly where she was and hopefully get her attention. So, I lay on the ground and shined a light under the system. When she saw the light and my face, she came to the slot but still would not come out. I placed my hand inside the slot with some hesitation she came to my hand and allowed me to rub her head but still would not come out. She longed for my touch but was not willing to trust me enough to come out of her hiding place, her safe space. Isn’t that a lot like us. Many times, we are satisfied with His touch but will not trust Him enough to follow His instruction for our lives. Finally, I had to pull her out. Once she was in my arms, she did not fight me. She felt the safety of my arms. She trusted that I would keep her safe. If only we would do the same with Jesus.
In conclusion:
If you have followed me there is a scripture that you have heard me mention many times that I have tried to live by.
Proverbs 3:5-7
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.
Today I challenge you to get out of your safe space that is blocking the Savior from coming to your rescue.
Take the first step to trusting Him with everything in your life.
Each step you take you learn to acknowledge Him.
Don’t choose the logic of the world.
Don’t choose the wisdom of the past.
His mercies are new each day.