It seems as though each day we're confronted with one horrifying tragedy after another. We turn on the TV, radio or scroll down the newsfeeds on our phones and there it is, another unarmed black man shot dead by the police; another "lone wolf" terrorist wreaking devastation; another humanitarian crisis.
All these dire events deserve our attention. But sometimes a constant stream of bleak headlines and mobilising ourselves to counter the seemingly increasing occurrence of bad things in this world can leave us feeling exhausted and hopeless.
Tragic events in our personal lives or those that prompt a global response leave many people asking not just "What can I do?" but also "Where can I go?" Essentially, such situations force us into a fight or flight mode. When our own lives and those of the ones we love are endangered, then flight becomes a very attractive option.
But, no matter where we take flight to, we'll always be faced with the danger of coming under attack. Whether these attacks take an earthly or spiritual form, they can both be life-threatening.
The only place we can find complete and lasting refuge is with the Lord. The shelter that He provides extends far beyond the physical. Regardless of what's going on around us, we can still find shelter with Him at all times.
In reality, the fight or flight concept isn't as arbitrary as it's commonly set out to be. The appropriate Christian response to physical and spiritual threats could be more aptly described as fight and flight because we're called to be committed to defending ourselves and those in need. But at the same time, we can still find refuge in the Lord.
You might be thinking: "Where can I go?" as you attempt to pin down a location where you'll feel safe when in reality you need to go to someone who will make you feel safe, and that someone is God.
Here are seven Bible verses on how God provides us shelter amid the storms of our lives.
