Heart Wide Open

Can you think of a time where you wanted to be hidden? When adversity, fear, and pain pushed you to a place where you just wanted to hide, get away, not be seen? Continuous abuse from those who claim to love you will keep you in a state of chronic fight, flight or freeze. Adverse childhood events can also lead to the habit of hiding or running away because that is the only way you can feel safe.

For years, I was stuck in this cycle. I don’t remember a time when my response to adversity wasn’t to hide or run, and often I would run to unhealthy habits to cope with my pain. In my own strength, I was not capable of stopping this cycle, but God did not intend for me to stay in this stunted state and when I yielded all to Him, everything changed.

Psalm 34:19 “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.”

Think of it, the God of the universe, creator of every blade of grass, the air we breathe, all things desires a relationship with you, desires to be your protector and provider! How great is this love. It is a love that cannot compare to human love. As you continue to draw closer to Him, He draws closer to you and covers you with His shield.

Psalm 3:3 “But you, O LORD, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high” 

Psalm 119:114 “You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word” 

To be covered, shielded by God is to feel safe, even when attacks are coming. Jesus tells us that we will face adversity in this world, but His promise is to never leave us alone to face it. In 2022, I was absolutely crushed to the ground as I walked through all of these things at the same time: a horrible divorce from my abusive husband, my 17 year old son’s death by suicide, and financial insecurity. There were moments where I just lay on the ground and asked God to cover me, and He did.

Psalm 91:4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

No matter what you are facing, you can always count on God. The scriptures shared here are but a glimpse of who He is and what He will do for you, if you just seek His face. The pastor at my church says, “you are as close to God as you want to be.” Because God doesn’t go anywhere, our hearts and minds wander away, but He is always there with open arms, ready to shield you and strengthen you to continue onward in hope.

Proverbs 30:5 Every word of God is flawless;he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

May you face today feeling the strength of God in your spirit,

Peace and love,

Angela K