A new year is here! That means fresh starts and new beginnings. Unfortunately when the calendar turned over into 2013, our troubles and difficulties did not fall away with 2012.
But God is bigger than any trial or pain in our lives. He longs to be our refuge, our place of comfort and safety. My new devotional book, God Is My Refuge, provides the direction we need to discover, understand, and apply the “ever-present help” only God can give.
January 8th marks the official release date of God Is My Refuge! A bunch of amazing Christian women have graciously volunteered to participate in a blog tour to help me spread the word!
Below is a list of the dates, their names, and their blogs. I would love for you to stop by and see what’s going on at their place!
I want to give away a copy of God Is My Refuge to one of you. Leave a comment on this post about how God has been your place of refuge in the past and I will enter your name. I will draw the winner on February 1st!
- January 7: Kathi Macias
- January 8: Stephanie Bowman (giveaway!) at Bowmania
- January 9: Caroline Flory at Under God’s Mighty Hand
- January 10: Sandra Peoples at Celebrate Every Day
- January 15: Christin Price at The Uncontainable Truth
- January 16: Heather Myrick at Butterfly Genes
- January 17: Kris Cameally at Always Alleluia
- January 22: Lori Kasbeer at Lori’s Reflections
- January 22: Kari Scare at Struggle to Victory
- January 23: Mollianne Massey at Cleverly Molli
- January 24: Dawn Wilson at Heart Choices Today
- January 24: Kate Battistelli
- January 29: Stephanie Shott at The M.O.M. Initiative
- January 29: Mary Beth Ketchum at New Life Steward
- January 30: Julie Sanders at Come Have a Peace
- January 30: Carey Bailey at Cravings: Desiring God in the midst of motherhood
- January 31: Nikki Laven at Simply Striving
- February 5: Kristin Schell
- February 6: Christina Burrell at Butterfly Kisses and Tasty Dishes
- February 7: Lisa Burgess at Lisa Notes
One last thing… you can help spread the word too. If you know that God is indeed our refuge, tell others. Here are a few ways you can:
- Spread the word on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and other social media.
- Write a review on Amazon, ChristianBook.com, and other online stores.
- Tell your church and women’s ministry leaders.
- Ask for it at your local Christian bookstore.
- Share this sample day’s devotional!
How has God been your place of refuge during past times of trouble? Tell us about it for a chance to win a copy of “God Is My Refuge!”
When my son was youn g, he was a very difficult child. I cried and prayed many nights for him and I truly believe God spoke to me one day to tell me he was one day going to ” be ok”. Even though there were still significant hard times to follow, I had a peace about him. He is now grown up, serving in the army, and contemplating ministry when he gets out. Gods word was my refuge during the difficult days of his growing up and through two tours to Afghanistan.
Judy, thank you for that testimony! It is encouraging for those of us with children who are struggling!
I`m not always good at running to Him for refuge when life hurts. But He’s been my refuge right now as I deal with past sexual abuse. He’s where I can go when it gets too overwhelming………..
Carol, so glad God has called you to find comfort, safety, and refuge in Him!
God has been my refuge this last year as I continue to homeschool our 7 children one done turning 19 but the real stress and where God has been my saving refuge and grace is the stress of training my stubborn strong willed 9th grade boy this year has been a challenge stretching me to the furthest I have ever been stretched !!
Cindy, thanks for coming by! Sounds like you’ve had a lot of practice finding refuge in God. I do know that when we are stretched beyond our limits is when we are forced to depend on God. That can be really tough, but also really good! Stressing our spiritual muscles like that also is how God builds and strengthens our faith!
Ever since my husband and I committed ourselves to follow the Lord’s leading in our lives, there have been an abundance of obstacles and raised eyebrows from loved ones.
Cancer, accidents, job loss and multiple moves have come our way.
There have been days where it all just seemed too much…wave after wave of “life” washing over me, and then still young children calling me: “Mommy, can I…?”
I can testify without a waver that God, and God alone has been my rock and refuge during the last years.
I hasn’t been my Mom, or sisters, or even my husband, even though he is amazing.
It hasn’t been a best friend or even the love for my children that has kept me hanging on, even though those blessings are such a treasure.
It has been God’s gripping love that has not let me go far, and His amazing grace that has kept me returning to His throne again and again.
Sitting at His feet and worshipping Him has been the glue that kept me from falling apart.
Thank you for your blessed and anointed ministry to women.
I keep returning to your blog for refreshment and encouragement.
BTW…I am a 35-yo homeschooling mom of 4. Our kids are 12, 9, 7 and 6.
Bia, you have a wonderful testimony to God’s faithfulness and sustaining grace! The Bible clearly tells us that those who want to follow Christ and live godly lives will encounter persecution and trouble. You are living the Word!
I understand what you said about great husband, supportive friends. God uses them to help us, but when we are at the end of ourselves only God Himself can be the “glue that keeps us from falling apart.”
Thank you for sharing today and thank you for your kind words. God is good.
God is my refuge always! My problem is there are so many times that I for some reason hesitate to run to that refuge, and then when I am there safe in His word and feeling his peace I wonder why I didn’t go there earlier…or better yet, why I ever left. I know it is the hustle and bustle of life, the tyranny of the urgent that so often draws me away. And sometimes with such small steps that I hardly realize I have left! It becomes a daily renewing of my mind to place myself in his care minute by minute. He is good, all the time, and He is my refuge!
Mary, so many of us can identify with what you’ve said! And you said it so succinctly and beautifully! Thanks for reminding us to daily renew our connection to God and draw ever closer to Him.
God has kept me since I became a widow, at the age of 46. I am now 60 yrs. old. I know that
God is a keeper and comforter. Thank God for HIS WORD
Janet, I am sorry to hear that you lost your husband so young. But blessed to hear your testimony that God has been faithful! Thank you for sharing this!
The book looks wonderful. God has been my refuge and saying that just feels good…because even two days into the new year I am facing a trial, not in my plans, not on my goals list or hopes for the year. I find myself hanging on and clinging to Him one moment at a time…three days in- and I wonder why I would expect otherwise. He is faithful. But I have grown weary…weary of the impact of other’s choices on me – difficulties that I am intertwined in at times feeling caged. Yet I know He is my refuge and I am trusting in Him to set me free…from the cage or continue to allow me to sing new songs to Him from where I am. Getting ready to blog it…but not yet. Too soon.
Hi Dawn, thanks for stopping by. Boy, I know what you mean about being weary of the impact of other people’s choices! I look forward to reading the blog you are going to write and hearing more about how God has been your refuge!
God has been my refuge many times in the past, but this last year (2012) has been a real test of faith for both me and my husband. His brother was diagnosed in late 2011 with a rarely heard of dementia which took him away from us rapidly, our older son was diagnosed with cancer within a week after Bob’s brother’s death in November 2012 and our granddaughter’s husband decided he no longer wanted to be a husband and father any longer. Within 12 months that was a heavy load, but with God’s gift of grace and the blessing and power of prayer once again he became a refuge. And He always does!
Sherrey, my heart ached for your family as I read your post. You have been experiencing the sufficiency of God. He can and will be all we need to face the trials of this life. Praise God, He is our refuge!
My daughter was in a life threatening car accident last summer. Even during those darkest moments I found peace and refuge in Him! He carried me through that ordeal and has healed my daughter physically and has brought her (and me!) closer to him.
Laurie, it seems counter-intuitive but God does indeed draw us closer when we turn to Him in times of difficulty. It’s then that we experience His comfort, strength, and faithfulness. Thank you for sharing your story with us!
God has been my refuge through the storms in my life. The past few years have been a bit of a roller coaster ride. Losing almost all of our material possessions, moving and going back to full time work were not in my list of things I wanted to do. But with the Lord’s strength, He equipped me and He was my shelter through it all. Even though life has become a little bit more stable, I still rely on Him as my strength.
Congratulations on the new book Kathy!
Blessings and love,
Debbie
Hi Debbie! You may not have seen that “roller coaster” ahead, but God knew what was coming. Thanks for sharing this testimony about how you relied on Him through the curves and ups and downs!
Everybody needs hope.
No matter what the circumstances, a big difference is having hope. Having God, Knowing God, knowing and being reminded each day that no matter what, there is still tomorrow, is what makes it matter.
There’s been many times when it just seems like, today, tomorrow, this week, its just too much and each time, its like God has a way of nudging and going….keep strong…keep encouraged and keep going, each day.
Trials are just that…trials, otherwise they wouldn’t be called that and yet, knowing that no matter what, even if it means having to feel like we are being dragged through a blender, lol, at the end of the day, its like God just has this way of reminding us…He’s got it…it’s that extra little needed push outside of everything that means everything.
You are so right! Without hope we couldn’t go on and God gives us hope for the future. Ephesians 2:12 says that those who are without Christ are also without hope. Real hope is only found in Him!
God first became my place of refuge when my eyes were opened to the fact that He’s been with me throughout my entire life. Even when I wanted nothing to do with Him and even blamed Him for allowing my family to be ripped apart through divorce and child molestation. He is and always will be my place of refuge because I now trust Him to see me through anything. He’s been there for me in the past and He will be with me until the day I see Him face to face.
Linda, thanks for sharing. So sorry to hear of your struggles. But how wonderful to recognize God’s hand and presence throughout all your life – particularly the most difficult times.
God has been my refuge and strength especially over the past couple of years. In 2010 I learned that my husband and best friend for over 20 years had been unfaithful. Despite marital counseling he decided to walk away from our marriage and filed for divorce. I am now a single mother at the age of 45. But, My God is Faithful. Both then and now. I know I can trust Him to provide for me. Even tonight as my heart is aching. He is my strength to get through each moment of the day and night.
Oh Sarah, my heart hurts for you. Keep leaning on God. He did not promise we would not hurt, but He did promise to give us the strength we need to endure it. He can and will fill you with the peace and comfort of His presence!
God has been my refuge countless numbers of times, and continues to be so every single day as we struggle with the pain and effects of my grandson’s debilitating brain damage. Jan. 02, 2007 my perfectly normal, healthy and beautiful 18 mos. old first grandson suffered cardiac arrest for an episode of about 20 minutes, resulting in anoxic brain injury at the hands of physicians who committed malpractice on him in a failed attempt to remove cancer. He is now 7 years old, cancer free, (thank God) but in desperate need of a miracle to learn to talk, walk or even eat again. When his precious life as a tube-fed invalid seems hopeless of joy and meaning, God is our refuge that we run to for comfort, strength and courage to continue pressing on. Only God can supply the miracle needed, both for my grandson’s health and our sanity. God is an amazing and faithful refuge! There is no where else, nor anyone else to run to … He alone is our rock of refuge.
Joyce, I am so sorry for your struggle and grief regarding your precious grandson. Thank you for sharing your family’s story with us. May God continue to be your strength and refuge.