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“But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love forever and ever.” Psalm 52:8 (NIV)

When life heats up do we go running for cover? Our emotional thermostat soars off the charts, disappointments bombard us and did I happen to mention that conflict has us slipping into a wounded spirit? It’s a three ring circus and not one we want to watch.

Stress, daily frustrations and unmet expectations often lead us to seek a way of escape. We work hard, work long and we make sacrifices – yet underneath all that we accomplish is a person who desperately needs some “me” time to refocus and recharge.

Conflict and unmet expectations comprised most of the Psalmist David’s life. If he wasn’t running for cover, he could be found hiding out in a cave alone. But wherever he went, David learned to seize the moments he had to flourish in God’s presence. Years of tending sheep alone in the fields taught David that he could be with God in the early dawn light or the late evening shadows. God was his constant companion even when the rest of his world walked out. And when disappointments overwhelmed David, he refocused and recharged his soul by trusting in God’s unfailing love.

We too flourish when we run into His arms of rest, reflection and comfort. Pouring out our hearts at His feet does wonders when our souls have been pounded. Don’t you just love the way God already sees, knows and is fully familiar with all that touches our lives? He specializes in transforming our out of control drama into manageable resolve. Filled with mercy, He soothes our wounds and teaches us the power of forgiveness and grace. And the crazy reality is that our flourishing ultimately spills over and touches others. Sweltering conflict has the potential to melt and disappointments can be transformed into gratitude when they are bathed in God’s wisdom. As we surrender our expectations to Him, we can trust in God’s unfailing love to carry us even if our circumstances don’t change.

“Father, how sweet to trust in You, to run to You, to find our refuge with You and know that You are always there.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life