“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear...”
- Psalm 46:1–2
This summer has been different from most in Texas. We have had a lot of rain and thunderstorms. It seems it has been that way for a lot of states. Trees have been broken, homes flooded, and people displaced. The storms of life have a way of revealing what we trust most. When life shakes us, it's tempting to rely on our own strength, but Scripture reminds us that God is our refuge. He is not watching our storms from a distance. He is present within them. His strength becomes most evident when ours begins to fail. Isn’t that interesting? The Bible tells us in 2 Corinthians 12: 9-11, But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Whatever storm you're facing today, you don't have to carry it alone. God's presence is greater than your fear, His peace is stronger than your anxiety, and His promises are more reliable than your circumstances. The storm may continue for a season, but God's faithfulness will remain long after the clouds have passed. Give Him your praise and trust that He is working all things for your good.
Prayer: Lord, be my refuge today. Calm the fears within me and remind me that You are always nearby. Help me find peace in Your presence and hope in Your promises. Amen.
With Love,
Sherry Shepherd
Storms have a way of revealing where we're looking for safety.
When everything feels uncertain, it's easy to let fear take over or believe we have to figure everything out on our own. But Psalm 46 reminds us that God is not distant from us in difficult moments. He is our refuge. He is our strength. He is present.
Take a few moments to slow down and bring your storm to Him.
Open your journal and give yourself permission to write honestly. Name what feels overwhelming. Write down what you're afraid of. Then remind yourself of who God is and the ways He has carried you before.
You don't have to weather the storm in your own strength.
Journal & Reflect
- What feels overwhelming right now? Name the situation that has been weighing most heavily on your heart. Don't try to make it sound better than it feels. Simply bring it honestly before God.
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Where are you looking for security? When you're afraid or uncertain, what do you tend to rely on first? What would it look like to turn toward God instead?
- What does “God is my refuge” mean to you today? Write what you need God to be for you in this particular season—your peace, strength, comfort, wisdom, protection, or something else.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Psalm 46:1 mean?
Psalm 46:1 reminds us that God is our refuge and strength and is always present to help us in times of trouble. It doesn't promise a life without difficulty—it promises that God is with us in the middle of it.
Does God promise to remove every storm?
No. Psalm 46 doesn't say that trouble will never come. Instead, it gives us confidence that God is present and that we can run to Him for strength and refuge when trouble does come.
What does it mean for God to be our refuge?
A refuge is a place of safety and protection. When God is our refuge, we can turn toward Him when we're afraid, overwhelmed, or uncertain, trusting Him with what we cannot control.
How can journaling help when I'm going through a difficult season?
Journaling gives you a place to slow down, name what you're experiencing, pray honestly, and return to God's promises. Writing down God's faithfulness can also help you recognize how He has carried you through previous storms.
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for being my refuge and my strength.
When life feels uncertain, remind me that I don't have to carry everything on my own. When fear rises, help me turn toward You instead of trying to control what I cannot change.
Be near to me in the middle of this storm.
Give me strength when I feel weak, peace when my thoughts are racing, and courage when I don't know what comes next.
Help me remember the ways You have carried me before. Let those memories remind me that You are faithful today, too. I surrender the things I cannot control and choose to trust You with them.
You are my refuge.
You are my strength.
And You are with me.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.
Message from Kara
There are some storms we can see coming, and others seem to arrive without warning.
I've been through seasons when the circumstances around me felt bigger than anything I could fix. And I've had to remind myself that my strength doesn't come from having all the answers.
It comes from knowing where to run.
Psalm 46 reminds us that God is our refuge and strength. He isn't waiting for the storm to pass before He comes near. He is an ever-present help right in the middle of it.
So if you're walking through something difficult today, I hope you'll pause and remember that you don't have to be strong enough for everything. Let God be your strength.
Bring Him what you're carrying. Write it down. Pray about it. And trust that He is with you, even here.
Whatever your storm looks like today, you are not alone.
With Love,
Kara
Applying this to your Daily Routine
Take time to reflect, pray, and process what God is teaching you through every season. Our Personalized Prayer Journal was designed to help you grow deeper in faith—one day at a time–turning intention into habit. Many people use journals to revisit verses like these and reflect throughout the week.
👉 Explore Personalized Scripture Products at www.papersunday.com
Today's devotional pairs beautifully with the Still Waters by Heather Hostetter | Personalized Scripture Journal
If you’re still feeling overwhelmed, these devotionals may help you find peace:
Daily Devotional • Psalm 55:22 • Let God Carry What’s Heavy
