The following is a guest post by Kathy Howard, author of God Is My Refuge, which released this week from Leafwood Publishers. You can learn more about Kathy and her ministry at www.kathyhoward.com and on twitter: @KathyHHoward. God Is My Refuge is also available to book bloggers for review.

The other day I spoke with a woman whose husband recently left her after more than 30 years of marriage. The pain of loss and rejection etched her face. I longed to say or do something to help her, but I had nothing. The only thing I could do was point her to the only one who could help. So I prayed with her.

This encounter was not unusual. I know many Christian women in the middle of difficult circumstances. Believers are not immune to trials and struggles. “In this world you will have trouble.” Jesus said it and our life experiences prove it. Like everyone else, we will face hardship, loss, grief, serious illness, and broken relationships. But unlike everyone else, Christians have a place to turn in time of need. A place of safety and refuge from the storm.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble. Psalm 46:1, NIV

Most Christians believe God has the power and authority to help them in their time of need, but a dramatic difference exists between intellectually acknowledging that fact and dependently leaning into His truth. We voice trust in God, but then try to fix things ourselves or deal with problems in our own strength.

God’s promises for provision fill the Bible. He offers to comfort us in our grief, give us hope in times of discouragement, cover us with joy in seasons of sadness, and replace our anxiety with His peace. But we must come to Him to experience what only He can provide.

This year has been a time of crisis for my family. God has been teaching me how to rest in His promises. When my emotions threatened to pull me under, I had to make the conscious choice to stand on the truth of God’s Word. There I found strength. When grief crashed in, I gave it over to the God of comfort. He has been my refuge and help.

In God’s grand sovereignty, when this crisis hit our family I was in the middle of writing a devotional book designed to help women discover, understand, and apply God’s promises in times of trouble. “God Is My Refuge” combines Scripture reading, commentary, personal reflection, and Scripture memory to help women draw closer to God and experience His help in a tangible way.

Are you in the middle of an overwhelming situation or simply struggling with life in general? God sees. He knows all about your circumstances. And He cares. Immerse yourself in His promises. Choose to stand on them even when your emotions try to pull you down. Let go of your own strength and depend on His. He will be your place of refuge.