Take Refuge

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 91. Here is what I learned.

He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge. His truth is your shield and armor. Psalm 91:4 (GW)

Like a bird protecting its young, God will cover you with His feathers, will protect you under His great wings; His faithfulness will form a shield around you, a rock-solid wall to protect you. Psalm 91:4 (VOICE)

He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you ·can hide [will find refuge]. His ·truth [faithfulness] will be your shield and ·protection [buckler; a small shield]. Psalm 91:4 (EXB)

The word rendered "buckler" is derived from the verb "to surround," and is given to the defensive armor here referred to, because it "surrounds," and thus "protects" a person. Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Max, my parakeet, has taught me many things over the years. One thing, I’ve noticed that there are times he wants to sit on my shoulder and snuggle as close as he can to my neck, and hide under my hair. Sometimes, it’s when something scares him, such as a thunderstorm or the hawk. Sometimes, when people who he doesn’t know visit. Sometime, he just wants to snuggle to snuggle. 

Psalm 91:4 describes God’s love and protection for us. 

Sometimes we want a refuge because of a storm. Sometimes we want a refuge because of the unknown. Sometimes we want a refuge because we simply want security. Sometimes we want a refuge because we want to feel loved. 

And God is there surrounding us with His steadfast and loving arms... whatever the reason we need His protection. 

To create a positive day, I only need to take refuge under the wings of the Almighty God and rest in His protection and love. 

Hug from God

One thing about living with chronic pain is that you never know the type of day you will have. Oh I can plan, but there are things, of which I have no control, that can increase my pain level. Weather, good and bad, can increase pain. A simple movement, like emptying the dishwasher or brushing my teeth can send the pain through the roof. And of course, my attitude can effect my pain. If I am more positive it doesn't really lower the pain, it just better equips me to handle the pain.
Today I had one of those higher than normal pain days. I thought it would be a good day....the day after my chiropractic adjustment usually is. However, when I tried to get out of bed....I quickly realized it was going to be a high pain day. I quickly took my pain meds and did a few other things to lower my pain. Yet, today, I just couldn't get the pain to lower.....at all. In fact as the day progressed, the pain seemed to increase. The clock moved very slowly as I waited for the time for my next pain pill.

At one point, as I was ready to have a "poor me" moment, Max flew to my shoulder and started talking. He had a lot to say. When he was done talking, he simply fell asleep on my shoulder. When I moved....I thought he'd fly to one of his many perches and go back to sleep. But, no he was content to stay on my shoulder as I got up and walked around the apartment. He just wanted to be with me. In fact, he stayed with me pretty much all day.
At one point, he was in his cage eating, and I got up and went into the kitchen. IMMEDIATELY, I heard...'achoo, achoo, achoo'. (That's what Max says when he wants me.) I yelled back, "I'm in the kitchen." Max flew into the kitchen, landed on my shoulder and promptly started yelling at me for leaving him!
As I look back over today.....my pain was high for what seemed like no reason. Yet, the day was not a bad day. Having Max so close to me all day was like God giving me a hug. And any day you get a hug from God is a good day!

The days which you seem to have no control can still be positive if you remember that God loves you. His love is unconditional. The fact that God, the Creator of all, loves you should not only encourage you....but make you feel amazing! Think about it. God.....loves you. A very simple statement with an astounding meaning. Knowing God loves you should make any day a positive one!