“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him firm in your faith … the God of all grace … will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.” 1 Peter 5:6-10
A friend was hunting for elk with a few buddies when they spotted four adult grizzly bears charging down a ridge toward them. Fear gripped their hearts. There was no point in running; there was no place to hide on the open landscape. Their only hope was to stand their ground and make a lot of noise. Even with high-powered rifles the odds of dispatching four adult Grizzlies was slim.
They could soon smell the stench of the bears; it wafted down on them from behind a line of trees. But the bears never came. They must have entered the trees and proceeded down the creek bed to the valley below. My friend understood in a new way the dangers of the wilderness.
This story made me ask, “What are the deadly beasts that could destroy me if they took hold of my life?” adultery, addictions to alcohol or pornography, love of money and possessions? More subtle sins like pride, bitterness, laziness and jealousy?
What are your grizzlies? What steps can you take to make sure you’re out of harm’s way?
Action Step: Take a practical step to guard your heart, such as setting a new boundary about what you allow your eyes to see or scheduling a time to prayer through something that’s frustrating you.
By Mike Woodard
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