It's that time again....running! It's time to start running in order to participate in events this fall. After six months of "taking it easy" to recoup from an injury, I am finally up and at 'em. I have one of the best places to run. My community not only offers greenbelts but it also offers greenbelts with many trees and shade.
This morning as I was running the first thing I saw was a rabbit. I thought it was so neat to see this sweet creature just sitting there munching on something and not run away. I continued to run and take it all in.
I started thinking of the previous year when I was running long distances. In order to complete a long distance, I ran through our community and then ventured into a wooded area-not a path...woods! I knew however, that if I made it through those woods I would end up on a street that would lead me straight to my father-in-laws house.
Oh yeah I had several things going against me. Woods with uneven ground, a road with a serious incline, and distance. I didn't care....I love a good challenge. I proceeded to run and at the end of the run, at the very end, after I had conquered my self inflicted obstacles, I turned onto my father-in-laws street. "I did it!" I remember thinking that just before I saw a huge, scraggly dog coming right toward me!
I could barely hear him for my ear buds and listening to music but I sure could see him. I stopped in my tracks and tried to shoo him away. I guess he finally got tired of me as he eventually walked away. In walking away, I could see that the dog was old and probably couldn't hurt a fly but at that moment, I wouldn't believe it.
I was minding my own business when this dog came up on me. I was reminded of 1 Peter 5:8 which says "Be self controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."
The enemy is brutal and while that scripture is true, I'm telling you not to cower down! The next verse says "resist the devil." If you feel you are up against the wall because of a threatening lion, I have good news....you can survive that lion!
So many times we focus on the danger or perceived danger that we allow that to overcome us. We allow their roar to frighten us to the point of paralyzing fear. How would you approach that lion if you knew he had no teeth or broken teeth?
Whether you are suffering a financial lion, bad relationship lion, bad health lion, an unexpected life situation or any other lion, rest easy and know that the word of God can tame any lion!
Remember this....whatever you are facing, whatever comes up against you in the form of the lion, remember that like the dog that came up against me, he was all bark and no bite. That lion has no teeth!
Consider now: Who, being innocent, has ever perished? Where were the upright ever destroyed? As I have observed, those who plow evil and those who sow trouble reap it. At the breath of God they are destroyed; at the blast of his anger they perish. The lions may roar and growl, yet the teeth of the great lions are broken. The lion perishes for lack of prey. Job 4:7-11
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