by Desiree Bustamante

We hide because the world can wound us, but God sees us and wants to protect and renew us.

“For you are my hiding place;
    you protect me from trouble.
    You surround me with songs of victory.

 The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.
    I will advise you and watch over you.”
Psalm 32:7-8 New Living Translation

Frogs are masters of disguise. Their textured skin, shifting colors, and natural camouflage help them disappear into their surroundings for protection.

We often do something similar. There are parts of our lives and pieces of our inner world that we try to keep hidden. Sometimes we hide to protect ourselves from judgment, because the world can be harsh and critical. Other times we hide because facing certain memories, fears, or anxieties feels too overwhelming. We may even hide our faith, our gifts, or our strengths when we don’t feel confident enough to share them.

But God sees us fully. He sees our concerns, our fears, and our failures and still loves us without hesitation. He wants our burdens to be light. He wants us to delight in how He created us, uniquely in His image, equipped with everything we need to live abundantly and to serve His kingdom.

We don’t need to hide from ourselves, and we cannot hide from the God who knows us completely. What we do need is more of His Word, which gives us unshaken confidence only He can provide. As we trust Him to transform us into who He wants us to become, we find that even when life feels threatening, we can rest safely under the shadow of His wing—protected, seen, and deeply loved.

Copyright Family of Christ Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado.