Refuge: Running to the Wrong Shelters
When life hits hard, why do we so often reach for anything but God?
Hi friends,
Ready for a new theme in March? This month we’re looking at the theme: REFUGE.
The etymology of refuge is our favourite prefix ‘re’ (again and again, or to go back to) + ‘to flee’. So the place we go to for our refuge is the place we run to, the place we head to when we’re in need of safety.
The problem is, if you’re anything like me, then sadly, God is not always your first port of call when seeking security or safety. It can be so easy to look in all the wrong places—be it comfort food, overwork, escapist habits, or anything else we cling to when life is overwhelming.
Ever reached for a ‘quick fix’? Yeah, me too. Except that rogue refuge ultimately leaves us feeling more vulnerable than before.
Instead of running to God, I have at times found myself running to chocolate, busyness, and mindless scrolling. Maybe you’ve been there, too, or your “go-to” is something else. Either way, we all know the ache of turning to refuges that don’t truly shelter our souls.
Taste and see that the Lord is good;
blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.
Psalm 34:8
This verse invites us to taste and see—to experience God’s goodness firsthand. But notice the next line: “Blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.” It’s a call to actively choose God as our safe place. We all face fiery arrows of conflict, demands, grief, or fear. The question is, where do we run when we feel life is spinning out of control?
So often, our “refuge” is more like a band-aid than a fortress—temporary relief but zero real security. Psalm 52:7 warns us that if we’re not seeking refuge in God, we’re acting like fools who trust in fleeting things. In contrast, Scripture calls us “blessed” when we flee to the Lord again and again.
Imagine being caught in a storm (not that hard in England!): You dart under a flimsy awning, only to find the rain still drenching you from every side. That awning feels safer than nothing, but it can’t withstand the downpour. In the same way, rogue refuges—like comfort food or escapist scrolling—may offer a momentary sense of control or distraction, but they can’t truly shield our hearts or provide lasting peace.
This week, I want to challenge us to pause the next time we feel overwhelmed. Instead of automatically rushing to our usual coping mechanisms, let’s turn to God. He is the unshakeable refuge who invites us to come to Him and find real rest and security.
Prayer Prompt
Lord, forgive me for the times I seek refuge in everything but You. Teach me to taste and see Your goodness. Help me break free from false shelters that fail me. I choose to flee to You. Be my safe place—my true refuge—today and every day. Amen.