On Where to Hide

“…how someone moves from thousands of restless thoughts and reasonings to an oasis of rest and refreshment where he is totally restored so that he can carry on.  The restoration lies not so much in solutions (which is just as well as it is likely that many of our questions will remain unanswered) as it is brought forth by being with God.  It is as the Psalmist says:  ‘…your love, O Lord, supported me’ Ps 94:18.

“It is actually amazing that when we go to the Lord with the thoughts and questions that occupy us, he is not out so much to satisfy our minds as he is to comfort our hearts.  In doing that the Lord touches the core of our problem, for our anxiety goes much deeper than mind level…it is that deep that God wants to reach into man,  pouring out His peace which transcends understanding.  He does that in the hiding place, in a private an intimate encounter on a one to one basis.  There, in the inner room, we will find that our questions can be overshadowed by the comfort and solace that the Lord gives in our heart or soul.”   Eleonore Van Haften, A Refuge For My Heart

“Let God cover thy wounds,” said Augustine, “do not thou.  For if thou wish to cover them being ashamed, the Physician will not come.  Let Him cover; for by the covering of the Physician the wound is healed; by the covering of the wounded man the wound is concealed.  And from Whom?  From Him who knoweth all things.”


Remember Luther on his sick bed.  Between his groans he managed to preach on this wise: “these pains and troubles here are like the type which the printer set; as they look now, we have to read them backwards, and they seem to have no sense or meaning in them; but up yonder, when the Lord God prints us off in the life to come, we shall find that they make brave reading."

“Stoical apathy and Christian patience are very different; by the one, men become in some measure, insensible of their afflictions; but by the other they become triumphant in and over them.  Let us take care in times of trial that patience and not passion, be set at work in us; whatever is said or done, let patience have the saying and doing of it: let us not allow the indulging of our passions to hinder the operation and noble effects of patience; let us give it leave to work, and it will work wonders in a time of trouble.  We must let it have its perfect work.  Do nothing to limit it nor to weaken it: but let it have its full scope: if one affliction come upon the heels of another, and a train of them are drawn upon us, yet let patience go on till its work is perfected.  When we bear all that God appoints, and as long as He appoints, and with a humble obedient eye to him, and when we not only bear troubles, but rejoice in them, then patience hath its perfect work.”  --Matthew Henry, Commentary on James 

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.  Isaiah 41:10

If I say, ‘My foot slips,’ Your mercy, O Lord, will hold me up.  In the multitude of my anxieties within me, your comforts delight my soul.  Psalm 94:18-19