Bear Sized Problems

 

A story is told of two hunters that came across a bear so big that they dropped their rifles and ran for cover.  One man climbed a tree while the other hid in a nearby cave.  The bear was in no hurry to eat, so he sat down between the tree and the cave to reflect upon his good fortune.  Suddenly, and for no apparent reason, the hunter in the cave came rushing out, almost ran into the waiting bear, hesitated, and then dashed back in again.  The same thing happened a second time.  When he emerged for the third time, his companion in the tree frantically called out, "Woody, are you crazy?  Stay in the cave until he leaves!"  "Can't," panted Woody, "there's another bear in there."

Do you ever feel like you are caught between a rock and a hard place?  Or maybe it feels more like being trapped between two bears.  There are certainly times in life when everything comes crashing down at once.  Problems, struggles, and difficulties come one after another and leave us feeling overwhelmed.  When these problems come our way, let’s remember some of the encouraging messages from God.

1 Corinthians 10:13 – “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.”

James 4:8a – “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you…”

Matthew 6:25, 33 – “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?... But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

Even though it may not feel like it at times, God takes care of His people.  This doesn’t mean we won’t face problems in life, but at the very least we know that when we stay faithful to the Lord we can reach the place where God will take care of us eternally.  So, next time we face bear sized problems, let’s remember some of the encouraging messages from God.

What Do You Do When Your Monitor Lizard Gets Loose?

(Not Dino or His Owner)

Neal Pollard
OK, so you’ve probably not spent a whole lot of time pondering that as a practical quandary in your life.  I’ve never met anyone who owns a pet monitor lizard.  But, in Woodland Park and not all that far from us in Denver, a six foot Nile monitor lizard–lovingly called Dino–escaped from his owner and is now on the loose!  Teller County sheriff, Mike Ensminger, is warning area residents to lock up their cats, small dogs, and to keep an eye on their small children.  They can be very hostile, have very sharp claws and strong jaws, and as they are not native to Colorado may get pretty agitated looking for that next meal.  You might want to look carefully under your bed and look under your stairs until this thing is captured.

I have not heard from the “pet’s” owner, but there must be some level of concern.  He left Dino on a leash, certainly never thinking that it could wiggle (or gnaw?) itself free.  But, that’s what happened.

Have you ever experienced something in your life that got away from you, moved beyond your control, and turned potentially harmful.  Maybe it was a word or conversation that you later regretted.  Perhaps it was a foolish decision, an unwise purchase or investment, a toxic relationship, or impulsive choice.  It could be any number of things, but it is certainly not amusing!  It can be damaging and destructive.

Many of you may be saying, “This wouldn’t have happened if this guy had never made a monitor lizard his pet.”  That’s frankly my basic response.  While lizard-lovers will castigate me for saying so, all of us will agree on this.  The best way to avoid the devastating consequences of rash, volatile decisions is to think through it.  Galatians 6:7-8 reminds us that, positively and negatively, we reap what we sow.  My dad told us, “Many people sow their wild oats, then pray for a crop failure!” The only proven way I know to keep from bad fruit is to never plant “bad fruit seeds” in the first place.

The logic for lizard-leashing is more sound than the rational for religious rebellion.  Mistakes will happen.  Let’s avoid those that wage war against the soul (cf. 1 Pet. 2:11).