The Perfect Hiding Place

People have the natural tendency for “flight” when difficult circumstance becomes too overwhelming. The desire to escape or hide grows to be a stronger force than anything else especially when we feel like we cannot do anything about the situation. Frustration and helplessness make us want to hide somewhere more peaceful, quieter, or some place where we could start anew. I think, this becomes a more prevalent scenario during the pandemic. Death of a loved one could be too painful and unbearable. Bankruptcy and all other sorts of grave economic problems may force people to desire for escape from the stress. I have recently read and watched a documentary of an unsual phenomenon in Japan called “johatsu”. It is also known as the “evaporated people”. This is made possible through a “mover” the person who is paid to move and make it possible for a person to disappear without any trace. There are many reasons why people resorted to being a “johatsu” or why they chose to evaporate never to be seen or heard again by their loved ones. Debts, divorce, conflict in the family, death, violence, or simply the person wants to get away from the mental or emotional stress of his or her current life. True, there could have been one time in our life when we thought how great it would be to disappear and start a new life where no one else knew us. This is our natural and normal response to trauma, overwhelming difficulty, or to anything where we feel there is an impossibility for a solution. But the sadder reality is when others would resort to suicide. Ending one’s life may be one way of sure escape from the difficult struggles for some. A way to peace. We may be moving to different directions and different goals but, in the end, all of us desire the same thing. That is peace. Peace of mind. Peace in life.

And this is exactly what God has planned for us ever since. Through, Jesus Christ, God’s Son, we have peace with God and by living in His will, we enjoy the peace within us and among us.

“I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble; but cheer up! I have overcome the world.”

– John 16:33 (WEB)

God is the perfect hiding place for us. As Jesus said this world has trouble. Troubles are part of life. But that is not the only truth we should remember. Jesus said that it is in Him that we may have peace. The world has troubles but we can have peace in a world with troubles. We can only have peace when we are in Jesus.

While we do not condemn people who resort to extreme measures to escape or hide from pain and troubles that life bring to them, there is a better way to find peace. It is free and readily available if only people will seek Jesus and live in Him.

King David said in Psalm 27 that even if war will rise against him, he will not be afraid and he will be confident. Why? Because God is his “strength and his salvation”. So, King David’s desire to seek after God and to dwell in His presence was so great that it was the only thing He asked of God.

“One thing I have asked of Yahweh, that I will seek after: that I may dwell in Yahweh’s house all the days of my life, to see Yahweh’s beauty, and to inquire in his temple. For in the day of trouble, he will keep me secretly in his pavilion. In the secret place of his tabernacle, he will hide me. He will lift me up on a rock.”

– Psalm 27:4-5 (WEB)

No other protection is as sure as that of God’s. No other security is as stable as how God keeps us secure. No other hiding place is as safe and strong as God. King David lived with confidence because He made God his hiding place. He was unafraid of the overwhelming troubles because He made God His place of dwelling.

In the day of trouble, and they can be some days or many days, hide in God. People who have disappeared to live an entirely different identity and different lives could not even be sure if their lives are satisfying and peaceful. Going away and escaping from troubles lessen the weight and the threat but they do not give full assurance of a good life. A good life is one that is hidden in God because this is the life that enjoys peace from God.

“You will keep whoever’s mind is steadfast in perfect peace, because he trusts in you.”

– Isaiah 26:3 (WEB)