Between a Rock and a Hard Place

An Adult Devotional | by Melinda Eye Cooper

The other day at work, a co-worker and I were making small talk. He mentioned a troubling situation he was dealing with and stated that he was between a rock and a hard place.

I've heard this phrase my entire life. But it never struck me the way it did when it came out of his mouth that day. Because lately, when I hear the word rock, I think of Jesus. As soon as he said it, I pondered it in a new way.

It's a difficult situation to be in when it seems that no matter what you do, it's going to be hard, and someone is probably going to get hurt.

Maybe even you.

There's no getting around it in life, whether it is a relationship problem, death or some other issue we must deal with. Eventually, it's going to happen - we will find ourselves between a rock and a hard place.

Some people think that when you become a Christian, your problems mysteriously vanish and everything is perfect from that moment on. But that's completely false. The truth is we will still have the same problems. We just have a better way of handling them than we did before we became Christians.

This is why when you're between a rock and a hard place in life (and you are a Christian) the reality is that the rock is between you and a hard place. Not the other way around.

But the LORD has become my fortress, and my God the Rock in whom I take refuge. Psalms 94:22 (NIV)

*According to Webster's dictionary - (Words in parenthesis below.) The LORD has become my fortress (place that is protected against attack: a fortified place), and my God the Rock in whom I take refuge (shelter or protection from danger or trouble). When we take shelter in the Rock, He's our fortress. He's between us and our hard places in life.

Will there be problems? Oh yeah. . . unfortunately. But how much better is it to know that we can take refuge in the Rock!

He is the Rock, His works are perfect, and all His ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is He. Deuteronomy 32:4 (NIV)

Prayer: Father, thank you for Jesus, our rock. Remind us when we're troubled and it seems that life is too difficult that He's between us and our trouble. Remind us to take refuge in Him. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

To read more of Melinda's devotionals, visit her website at MelindaEyeCooper.com.

Teach kids about Jesus--the ROCK--get Tell Me the Story of Jesus.

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