The story goes about a man who was bear hunting and had hired a local guide. They saw a big bear over on the next hill, within range, and the guide said “Take your shot.” The man did so, and wounded the bear, which turned and ran straight at the hunters in a roaring rage. The guide calmly raised his rifle and began firing at the bear until he ran out of ammo. Then he grabbed his customer’s rifle, who was standing frozen in fear, and the bear dropped not 10 yards in front of them.
The man told the guide “I’m so sorry! I don’t know what came over me, I just froze!”
The guide replied “Don’t worry about it; at least you didn’t run off with your rifle like the last guy did!”
From my daily devotion:
Two hunters 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 till he leaves!” “Can’t,” panted Woody, “there’s another bear in there!”
Do you ever feel like fear is giving us the run around? Although there are a lot of scary things going on in the world these days and perhaps even in our own personal lives, God has not called us to live in fear. He’s has called us to stand strong in His confidence, knowing that He is in control! He’s called us to live lives full of power, love and a sound mind!
Dr. E. Stanley Jones said “I am inwardly fashioned for faith, not for fear. Fear is not my native land; faith is. I am so made that worry and anxiety are sand in the machinery of life; faith is the oil. I live better by faith and confidence than by fear, doubt, and anxiety. In anxiety and worry, my being is gasping for breath–these are not my native air. But in faith and confidence, I breathe freely–these are my native air.”
7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1) Another translation says “The spirit of God does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”
1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
3 Surely he will save you
from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday. (Psalm 91)
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1)
The COVID-19 virus has filled the hearts of many with trepidation and anxiety. It causes us to behave sometimes in ways we normally would not. But we need to remember some things:
We’re all in this together. We need to be hopeful because “this, too, shall pass.” There are thousands and thousands of people working to combat this virus. We should encourage one another, pray for one another, and help each other as much as we can.
God is still in control In the midst of the storm, He is.
34Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8)
TRUST. PRAY. ENCOURAGE. SERVE.
THE RIGHT RENDITION 