When I was working outside of the home for a living, I can remember a few crazy busy days. I worked a job that was deadline driven. The stress level was extremely high…all the time. I remember this one day when it seemed the craziness seemed to go on for hours and I was caught right in the middle. Every time I tried to slow down and take a breath there was someone else who needed something “10 minutes” ago. I was anxious and I could feel my heart rate going up, up, up.

Have you ever been there?

Perhaps you’ve felt this way in your home, at school, or at work. Nothing seems to slow you down or cut through the chaos.

What helped me during these times of complete chaos was the read through the Psalms. What incredible strength and peace I have found in the words written all those years ago. During crazy times, I am drawn to the word refuge. This word appears in the book of Psalms at least 40 times that I have noticed.

According to Noah Webster’s 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language, the word refuge is defined as follows:

That which shelters or protects from danger, distress or calamity; a strong hold which protects by its strength, or a sanctuary which secures safety by its sacredness; any place inaccessible to an enemy.

When I think about the word refuge, I think about a hiding place. The mental picture I get is of a castle or fortress from long ago. I bet there are many places to hide in a huge castle. Having had the opportunity to travel in Europe and other places around the globe, I can remember visiting castles in Puerto Rico, England, Austria, Ireland, France and Budapest. They were magnificent structures and to me they had an appearance of safety and security. A place inaccessible to an enemy.

When the chaos of another day begins to bubble up, I realize that sometimes I look in all the wrong places for peace and solitude. When I see crazy… I feel chaotic, stressed and tired. When I look to Christ, I am reminded of his refuge and strength.

Here are a few verses I have memorized and cling to when things seem to get hectic.

Psalm 2:12 (NIV) Blessed are all who take refugein him.

Psalm 5:11 (NIV) But let all who take refugein you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protectionover them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

Psalm 7:1 (NIV) I take refuge in you; saveand deliver me from all who pursue me.

Psalm 9:9 (NIV) The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.

Psalm 18:2 (NIV) The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.