The World Will Break You. Seek the Only Refuge You Can Trust
The Almighty alone offers rest
Trauma strips you so naked, it removes several layers of skin. Sensitive, exhausted, and raw, every nerve ending jumps at the smallest stimuli. Physical rest is impossible and the mind frantically seeks meaning that remains out of reach.
Whatever it is that knocks you off your feet leaves you spinning in a constant state of vertigo. Thoughts that made sense a day ago no longer do. Beliefs that formed the foundation of your values don’t feel so foundational. Feelings with known causes become jumbled, sporadic, and unpredictable.
The tasks that occupied your life no longer hold relevance. Doing anything productive feels ridiculous, because in the grand scheme of things, who cares if the laundry gets folded?
The unthinkable happened.
The world keeps spinning, but all you can do is sit and watch, bewildered.
The World’s Way
The world created systems to provide a sense of civilization based on order and predictability. Those systems were meant to protect children, families, and public safety. But what happens when those systems no longer work or when they ignore those who need protection?
The judicial system is supposed to give the aggrieved a platform for seeking respite and mete out justice as a corrective measure. What happens when only those with financial means can access that system? What happens when individuals corrupt the courts and serve only themselves?
The world trains us to turn to people and professionals who advocate for children, families, safety, and justice. Someone will help us navigate the chaos. What happens when those professionals act in their own interests at the expense of the people they are supposed to help? Where do we turn?
The Only Trustworthy Refuge
Tragedy does not discriminate, nor does it come with a timeline. It’s not predictable or stoppable. It separates the wheat from the chaff — those who have the endurance to run the race to the finish no matter the cost from those who collapse under the pressure.
People in your life you count on for support often fade away as your trauma and grief linger past their endurance date.
Some people stay. They are gems.
Systems and people in this world have finite resources, but the Lord does not.
There is a reason Jesus said:
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, NIV)
We will have trouble. Not if, but when. We WILL have trouble and when we do, the broken, worldly systems we’re told to rely on will disappoint us.
The truth of the world is that it wants to break you. But take heart, Jesus says, he overcame the world. Therein lies the source of peace and rest.
You Cannot Trust the World, but You Can Trust in Him
The Lord alone is constant.
He is the I AM who never changes, whose love never fails, who is always with you whether or not you see him.
No matter your physical, mental, or emotional state, he is your refuge and your place of safety. It doesn’t matter if you’re beaten, battered, broken, and scarred, you can take rest in his shadow, a comforting respite from the world.
His fortress is your shelter where you can rest. He will hold you as you cry, scream, sob, and lament all you’ve lost and remind you that his love for you endures.
Keep your eyes, your focus, on him. He can handle it.
You will keep in perfect peace those who minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. (Isaiah 26:3, NIV)
Praise his name, El Shaddai, the Almighty, the one who has overcome the world.
“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’” (Psalms 91:1–2, NIV)
Storms will rage around you, but remain in that place with him and you will find peace.