When Home Is Hard
For anyone whose house is not a refuge.
On God's presence in a difficult home.
The big idea
God does not wait outside a hard house. He is in it with you.
Opening scripture
“Where could I go from your Spirit? Where could I run from your presence?”
What does “When Home Is Hard” walk through?
Nowhere He Is Not
Psalms 139:7 · KJV
Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
In plain English
Where could I go from your Spirit? Where could I run from your presence?
Including Here
The psalm lists the extremes — heights, depths, darkness — to make one point: there is no location outside God's presence. That includes the room you dread.
A Present Help
Psalm 46:1 · KJV
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
In plain English
God is a safe place when life is hard. He is not distant—he helps in the middle of trouble.
“God being with you is not the same as God approving what is happening to you.”
Shelter
Psalms 91:1 · KJV
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
In plain English
Whoever lives in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
Honour Is Not Silence
Scripture asks for honour toward parents. It never asks anyone to pretend harm is not harm, or to carry it with no help.
My Presence Will Go
Exodus 33:14 · KJV
And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.
In plain English
The Lord said: my presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.
Pray
Father, be near in the place I cannot leave yet. Amen.
Write it down
Where do you most need to know God is present?
He is here
If home is unsafe, tell a trusted adult. Being helped is not disloyalty.
Which passages does this journey use?
4 passages, drawn from Psalms 139:7, Psalm 46:1, Psalms 91:1, Exodus 33:14. Every verse appears here in the King James text with a plain-English line beside it, so you can read it without a commentary open. Allow about 7 minutes for the whole thing, or 8 short sittings.
- Psalms 139:7
- Psalm 46:1
- Psalms 91:1
- Exodus 33:14
Read any of these in full on the complete KJV, or look the wording up independently at Blue Letter Bible.
More in Relationships
All Relationships →Choosing Your Circle
You become the room you stand in.
When A Friendship Ends
Grief nobody throws you a funeral for.
Being The Only Christian In The Group
Faithful without being obnoxious.
Loving Your Siblings
The people you did not choose.
Honoring Parents You Disagree With
Respect that is not agreement.
Dating With Intention
Choosing on purpose, not by drift.