More than one person has said to me, “This is my go-to place.” What they were explaining was their “safe place of hiding” when pain came through circumstances or relationships.

Recoiling to our ‘go-to’ place is a common move that prompts a person to suddenly spring or flinch back out of fear, horror, or disgust. [Webster’s Dictionary] We recoil to that safe place where we gather our thoughts and regroup our way of response or reaction to what has happened. How well I know…I’ve parked there many times.

Paul wrote to the church to “Prove all things; hold fast to that which is good.” So, how do we discern what is good? If the Word of God calls us to “righteous judgment” [John 7:24] and we are to be “wise as serpents, but harmless as doves,” [Matthew 10:16], then we are encouraged to emerge from our “Go-to” places in righteous response.

Our spirits are sensitive instruments intended by God to not be affected by outward influence, or even by our own soulful reactions, if we desire to be accurate in our discernment. We cannot know people solely by what they say and what they do. Words and actions do not always reflect the full, accurate story. It takes the Spirit of God to rightfully divide the truth. The author of Hebrews writes [4:12] that the Word of God is able to “judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” We are not able to do so without His revelation.

Father loves a broken and contrite heart. [Psalm 51:17] A broken and contrite heart is one that has been brought to a state of submission to the will of God, as opposed to insistence upon its own will. After our wills have been submitted to God’s leading, our response will be led by the Spirit.

“Go-to” places are fine as long as they are temporary, healthy hiding places. David wrote of the best “Go-to” place being underneath the shelter of Father’s wing. [Psalm 91] While in that place where we can hear from Him and learn of His ways, we are empowered to emerge as repairers of the breach.