This post is part of the October 2018 Edition of 31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes. I hope you”ll join me in seeing where each prompt takes us.
P.S. Just so you know, I’m finding it difficult to stick to five minutes (**) and it may take me longer than the 31 days to finish all the prompts. Not easy for this rule follower!
You can read more 31 Days entries at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com
Afraid
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, Psalm 46:1-2a (NIV)
Balancing cups of birdseed in my hands I rounded the corner toward the feeders when I abruptly stopped dead in my tracks! There laying in my flower bed was a large, brown, curled up SNAKE! Now, there’s a lot that I’m afraid of, but a snake is on the top of the list! That lounging serpent seemed quite unfazed by me, however I was VERY bothered by it and immediately reversed my direction to retreat back to the safety of my house.
As I paced the floor and looked out the window, fear made my heart beat like a big bass drum! I had to figure out a way to deal with this unwelcome intruder. There was one major problem: I had no idea what to do. How was I ever going to face something I’m this afraid of? What I knew for sure though, was this thief of my peace had to go!!!! Pace. Look out the window. Pace. Look out the window. Each time I peeked through the curtains, the dreaded thing remained there taunting me. Time passed but nothing changed except for the elevated rate of my breathing and the increased rhythm of my heart. **
As my thoughts twisted and turned like that coiled up creature, for some reason I equated my situation to David and Goliath. (yes, my mind works in mysterious ways) You know the story….Nasty Giant filling everyone with fear who’s taken down by a small boy and a stone. (read 1 Samuel 17:1-58) And so, I began telling myself if David could face Goliath, I certainly could face this snake! My words were much braver than I actually felt and I’d forgotten one Very. Important. Thing. David made God part of his attack plan.
“David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.”
“All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’S, and he will give all of you into our hands.”
1 Samuel 17:45,47
We all face fear: whether it’s a diagnosis, a lost job, a troubled marriage, a struggling child, or any of the myriad of other scary things in this life. It is so easy to become consumed by the anxiety of being afraid, isn’t it? If you’re anything like me, you worry about the unknown outcomes, imagine all the possible painful scenarios that could play out, and literally make yourself sick with panic. It is in these moments, when we feel constricted by distress, that we need to be like David:
“The LORD who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” 1 Samuel 17:37
Little David who was about to face “giant” trouble didn’t proclaim that he wasn’t afraid, but rather, he recounted times of fear in his past when God had been faithful. That’s a lesson for me today. Maybe for you, too. We all know that God doesn’t just magically remove the goliaths we are battling, but He does send us what we need to overcome them. Maybe we find victory through the encouragement of a praying friend, the words of an inspiring song, the support of others who’ve experienced what we’re going through, or even a familiar story in scripture. Like David, we can gain confidence when facing a new foe because we remember the faithfulness of the One doing battle with us.
My trespassing snake? I’m afraid courage didn’t show up, but my own “David” did. Just as I was about to succumb to snake induced hysteria, a text sounded on my phone. With my fingers flying on the keyboard I described my “dire” situation to the friend who’d messaged about something else completely. Within minutes, help arrived and eventually my scaly nemesis was relocated to the river. An unexpected message, a willing rescuer, and help in a time of trouble. These are the things I can recall the next time I’m standing in the giant shadow of fear to help remind myself that the LORD who rescued me from the angst of a snake (and so much more) will help me battle any “Philistine” I must ever face!
That is a true example of “He always sends us what we need” which is my mantra. Well written Cindy. I could feel the panic and the relief. 🙂
I thought of you when I wrote those words! You have encouragement me with them many times ! Maybe it’s starting to sink in! ?❤️