Where Do You Run for Cover?

Last day of May 2025. Last day of Mental Health Awareness month. Something I never imagined I would be writing about. But here I am at least three years into this wrestling match with my own mentals.

This morning I prayed for God to "strengthen my heart through Your Word, that I may endure this day with your strength." The following is what God revealed in my quiet time with Him.

God was meant to be our Stronghold-the place we run for cover when threatened, a place of refuge. The meaning of the word stronghold, in the original Hebrew, meant refuge, fortress, in regards to God.

God's Word is meant to anchor our souls in the midst of hurricane force waves!

After that fateful moment in the Garden, God asked Adam, "where are you?". Not because God did not know where they were. The moment Adam and Eve were disobedient, their hearts felt shame and guilt so they ran and hid from God. The same God they had walked in the Garden with, they were now afraid of. Because of their sin guilt and shame.

It's a real thing and exactly what keeps us from running straight to the only Stronghold that can actually offer us refuge. Our sinfulness is exactly what should drive us to the feet of our mercy-filled God. Instead, shame has taught us to hide from God in a million different things that threaten to hold us tight in that mentality.

Because the second question God asked them, "who told you that?", is just as filled with Hope. Who told you your sins are too sinful for God to love you and forgive you? Who told you there is no place for you at the table with Jesus because of your filth and sins?

Jesus shared a table with Judas, knowing full well what plan Judas had already set in motion! Not only did He not make a spectacle of the sinner, NO ONE else knew but Jesus.

When was the last time you had a meal like that?! I'm not saying you're expected to. I'm simply saying, with God's power in you, you can endure ALL God asks of you.

Which is the reason we spend time in His Word, it's God's Truth!

Over two decades into my journey with Jesus, I can tell you. Unless you get quiet with God regularly, you will wrestle to hear Him at all. God whispers to our hearts through His Word. If you are steering clear of the bible and all this Jesus business, you're left to the ruler of this dark world, Satan. He will tell you anything he can to get you to run and hide from God. Not only is what you've done shameful, you are buried in shame. NOT the covering God desires to give you!

Without the wisdom of God's Word, you will never be able to separate the words you hear. Because you see, the loudest voice you often listen to, no one else can hear.

The assault on my mentals these past years has been the wrestling match of my life so far. God even warned me when we left Texas that our greatest battle yet, was still ahead of us. I underestimated what that actually meant! But thank you Jesus, I knew enough to cling to God's Word. Even if it was as short as the six words in Mark 9.

I'm certain I resembled a chicken running with it's head cut off to God. Running back and forth between my Godly Stronghold and the twisted versions my flesh grabbed along the way! Even if you're frantically running through a sea of debilitating fleshly strongholds, your Creator still whispers to your heart, "seek refuge at My Feet. My promises are to prosper you and not harm you. My promises give Hope. Jesus Christ in the midst of your chicken dance!"

If you've never seen a chicken in this state, it's VERY disturbing. My movie mentals can still see it clear as the only time my young eyes witnessed such a thing!

I've mentioned the darkness I found myself in, so many heavy dark "foggy" days. But I had vowed to God I would cling to Him, stay in His Refuge, cling to His promises. And when the darkness got even heavier, and the strength to hold on wasn't even there. I trusted in the Stronghold my Savior had covered me in. Just like Adam and Eve. God covered them in the midst of their shame. Their shame told them they were naked, NOT God.

If you're in a dark place, invite Jesus in. He won't come with a flood light. Sometimes it may feel like the flashlight that barely flickers. But Light ALWAYS dispels darkness, ALWAYS.

Jesus-Immanuel-God WITH us, the Light of the world. It may FEEL like the dark is too overwhelming. And it probably is. But when God is the Stronghold we run to hide in, Jesus Christ is the Light you put your hope in. Even if it seems like nothing more than a flicker of belief!

His Light doesn't remove you from the dark, it issues Hope in the midst. And isn't that what Light was created for?!?!

The next time you feel like running for cover, from shame or guilt, or the mental wrestling matches of life, look for Light in the Stronghold we were created for. Don't let Satan twist God's Truth. You were created to run for cover in your Creator.