Devotionals

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For God will hide me in his shelter in time of trouble . . .
Psalm 27:5a

What happens when there is a major crisis, and it seems like there isn’t any relief in sight? Maybe someone you love is dying, or you have just found out you have a life-threatening illness. Sometimes, it seems like you can’t handle the problem you face. There is one place you can go where you will always find understanding and peace. It is a shelter from the storm. This shelter allows you to go back to the situation, and see it with a new heart and outlook. The challenge will still be there, but you will have more courage and strength to deal with it.

When my sister was dying and on life support, it was a very difficult time for me. I received the call to come to the hospital right away, because her condition was critical. Of course, it seemed like my whole world had suddenly stopped. My stomach tightened up, and I feared the worst. Before going to the hospital, I remember praying and asking God for help. I asked Him to help me support my family through the crisis. I remember, while on the way to the hospital, singing a song that gave me courage. It was a form of prayer.

When I arrived at the hospital, I met my family, and then we met with the doctor. He explained the situation and made clear how serious things were. He told us she was dying, and there was nothing more they could do for her. He suggested removing her from life support. I remember saying, “Isn’t there anything that can be done to help her?.

He sadly said, “No.”
We agreed that the only humane and loving thing to do would be to remove my sister from life support.

When I returned home, I prayed again for courage and the spiritual wisdom and love to be there for my family. I wanted to offer some kind of support. As it turned out, my family asked me to lead them in prayer.

Me? I remember thinking a chaplain or other spiritual advisor could do a better job. But my family wanted me. So, I prayed, and it seemed to bring some measure of comfort to my family.
When the nurses prepared to take my sister off life support, they asked me again to say a prayer. I honestly don’t remember what I prayed, only to say I knew my sister would be doing to a wonderful place. When they took the life support away, I felt heartbroken. I wanted so much for her to live. I knew the breath she breathed at that moment would probably be her last.
My sister liked simple things, so we had the memorial at her grave site. I was asked to sing and lead our family in a few songs. I wondered how I could possibly sing at my own sister’s memorial. I went to God, again, and I asked for strength and courage to help the memorial be a fitting memory and celebration of her life. Of course, I asked my family what songs they would like. Singing was difficult, but it seemed to go well, and my family mentioned many times how it touched them. They thanked me for the prayers in the hospital. And, despite my fears, I was glad I could be of some help and comfort to them.
After the memorial service, even though my faith told me my sister was in heaven, a part of me that wondered if she really were there. I certainly didn’t think she was in a terrible place, but I just wasn’t sure where she was. I found this terribly upsetting. Every Sunday at mass, we remember people who have died, and we affirm our faith of going to heaven when we die. I wondered, how could I question my faith?
While in prayer, I visited God’s temple inside me, and I sensed that my sister was fine and in a very good place. I knew in my heart she felt peaceful and had perfect joy. If I hadn’t prayed and looked to God for my own peace, I never would have had this experience.
There are many different ways to pray, and everyone has their own unique way of praying. For some, it is a prayer of centering; for others, it might be meditating on nature or an object that holds special meaning. Find the path that helps you connect to the God within you.

For God will hide me in his shelter in time of trouble . . .

Psalm 27:5a

The world can be a stressful place. You may have a family and children and worry about getting the bills paid. You may be worried about bringing up your children so they’ll be well-adjusted adults. Or, you might be a single man or woman who works ten hours a day and has a hard time finding friends.

Relationships can be difficult. Maybe you are having trouble in your marriage, or your children are having a hard time in school. Your relationships at work may be frustrating or stressful. Perhaps someone in your family is sick, and you aren’t sure how you can support them.

Where do you go when you can’t seem to find comfort or peace? Some people attempt to deal with their problems with alcohol or drugs. Others become depressed or moody. I believe what the Psalm is telling us is that God will be there for us in times of trouble. There is shelter in the midst of the storm.

Sometimes, going to church and worshiping with others brings comfort. Knowing you are part of a community and are not alone in your desire to follow God—even during a time of trouble—can strengthen your spirit. For me, music touches me, and communion with friends and fellow Christians is extremely important. When we say the Lord’s Prayer together, I close my eyes and know we are one as we share our prayer to our Father God. What a wonderful shelter in the midst of the daily challenges we all have!
I have seen many times in my church people coming together to assist someone going through a crisis. I believe God is active in that response. We have a ministry at our church where we comfort others in a variety of ways, such as when someone they love dies. Is not God also involved in that ministry? This, too, is a shelter in the time of trouble.

I see this same Godly shelter where my mother lives. When someone is sick, others who live in her community help. They each watch out for one another. They are supportive and offer help, such as shuttling one another to doctor’s appointments, or whatever is needed. Is not God alive in their ministry? Is that not a shelter? Of course, it is!

I attend a faith sharing group, and there have been times when people in our group have expressed hard times, like a death in the family or family members falling ill. The support and compassion offered by members of the group is wonderful. People know when they come to our group that they will not be judged by anything that is shared. What a shelter that is! We sometimes discuss how hard it can be to follow God, when our culture supports material gain at others’ expense, violence, and things that don’t honor Him. It helps to have a supportive group that is trying to follow God.

There are many ways God creates shelter for us. I am certain you can think of many experiences you have had that have given you shelter. You might want to take a few minutes and think about the different ways God has provided shelter for you in the times of trouble. If you are like me, it is not easy to always be aware of those ways, yet we should stop and thank God for all the ways He shelters us. Say it with me: Thanks be to God!

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