Ecclesiastes 8:6-8 “For there is a time and a way for everything, although man’s trouble lies heavy on him. For he does not know what is to be, for who can tell him how it will be? No man has power to retain the spirit, or power over the day of death. There is no discharge from war, nor will wickedness deliver those who are given to it.”

Psalm 91:9 “Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place—the Most High who is my refuge—“

Solomon, David’s son and the wisest man who ever received that gift from God wrote that trouble will have a way of finding its way to us. Even small troubles have a way of growing burdensome when carried or ignored. Just like a small weight which is easily lifted grows heavy if held for a long time, so too does our troubles. And some troubles we simply do not have the ability to deal with on our own. That is why it is so important to make sure when trouble comes looking for you, it finds you ‘dwelling’ with the Lord. In his presence most troubles will fear to come. In his presence those troubles which have already attached themselves to you can be laid down. When we are in our place of refuge, with our Heavenly Father, those who seek our ruin, our destruction or our harm will be unable to find us. We will all face these types of troubles. The question is will we face them in a place of our choosing or a place of their choosing? In the end, if we choose to take the high ground, dwelling with our God, what have we to fear?

Pray: “Father, looking back over my life it seems sometimes like trouble always seems to know exactly where I am. I know how heavy a burden it can be, especially when carried for a long time. In this life it is silly to think I can somehow do it alone. I’m tired of being such an ‘easy target’ for trouble. Lord, open your doors wide and show me the place near you that is mine. I choose the high place, your place, in which to face what comes in this life. Thank you Jesus for preparing that place and making a way for me to get there…in your name I pray - Amen.”