A strong soul is emerging

 God is our protection and source of strength. He is always ready to help us in times of trouble. So we are not afraid when the earth quakes and the mountains fall into the sea. We are not afraid when the seas become rough and dark and the mountains tremble. Selah (Psalm 46:1-3)

Protection requires strength, doesn't it? Do you feel protected inside a tent in the midst of a dime-sized hailstorm? Not likely. You might feel a whole lot better inside a quanset hut because you know the walls can endure the winds and the hail. The strength of the hut gives you a peace that you will come out of the storm all right. When God is our source of protection, he is also our strength - but in order to enjoy his strength in the midst of the storm, we need to 'come into' the place of his protection!

God does more than just preserve us from injury or harm, though. There is an overwhelming peace that passes all understanding that is involved with his protection. Did you know the word protection comes from the Latin meaning that which is a covering in front - a shelter? God does more than just put a shelter over us - he puts one out in front of us, so the enemy of our souls has no passage into the safety of our shelter in him.

Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars. (Khalil Gibran)

A strong character is obtained in the hardest of circumstances, in the moments God shows us truth, guides our steps, and calms our out of control thoughts. We might not appreciate what is being 'built into us' in the moment when things are tough and kind of scary. We might not know when God is at work, but somehow we begin to see things differently, settling into the peaceful place of being sheltered by his strength. The more we put God before us, taking the control of the circumstances out of our own hands, the more we will feel the safety of that protective covering of his strength. Just saying!