Whatever the situation, the recommendation is the same: seek shelter. And that shelter is God. The more intense the trouble, the closer we need to draw to God.
Psalms 91:1-2 NLT [1] Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. [2] This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.
Psalms 32:7 NLT [7] For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory. Interlude
There is nothing wrong with asking God to remove the trouble. Jesus did.
Matthew 26:39 NLT [39] He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”
So, did Paul.
2 Corinthians 12:5-8 NLT [5] That experience is worth boasting about, but I’m not going to do it. I will boast only about my weaknesses. [6] If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth. But I won’t do it, because I don’t want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message, [7] even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. [8] Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. (emphasis mine)
God didn’t deliver either from their trouble, God reminded them that He was accomplishing something important through their hardship. He reassured them that His will was being done. He made His presence felt in a profound way during their hardship, but He didn’t deliver them.
2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.
Hebrews 2:9 NLT What we do see is Jesus, who for a little while was given a position “a little lower than the angels”; and because he suffered death for us, he is now “crowned with glory and honor.” Yes, by God’s grace, Jesus tasted death for everyone.
When we pray for deliverance in times of trouble, God may grant our request. He may show His power by removing the trouble in a dramatic and unmistakable way. But what if He doesn’t? What if He allows us to experience trouble for a while as part of His bigger plan? What should we pray for then?
We can pray for perseverance, the ability to endure.
Romans 5:3-5 NLT[3] We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. [4] And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. [5] And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
The ability to survive and thrive in the face of difficult circumstances leaves a powerful impression on others, whether we realize it or not. People who see a spiritual strength and resilience in us that’s missing in their lives may be moved to ask us about the hope that’s in us.
When we seek the shelter of God we can make a difference in the lives of others.
Psalms 46:1 NLT God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.