Oct 09 2009
Past The Scary Bit
By Mugs Manry
“The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”
Psalm 118:6 (NIV)
Walking along the river, pushing the stroller, and worrying over my husband’s possible deployment, I glanced up and saw a dog seizing the day. He had ducks to chase, water to swim in, and freedom. He showed no concerns, worries or fears, for he was having fun. I knew instantly he had escaped his yard to spend a day at the river.
Years ago, my own dog would escape our yard to chase small animals, eat dead creatures, and roll in manure. He so enjoyed life outside the fence, he would not return home on his own. We would discover an empty yard, drive around the area attempting to find him, give up, and wait for the phone to ring. The callers varied from a neighbor a few blocks away to the German Police (Polizei). When the Polizei called, we attempted unsuccessfully to communicate in German. Finally, in frustration, the Polizei said, “You have dog? We have dog. We bring dog.” Therefore, when I saw this dog by the river, I knew his kin.
Strolling past, I would periodically tell the dog: “Your family misses you;” “The ducks don’t want to be herded;” “You are going to get in trouble for being so naughty.” Sometimes he was near me; sometimes he ran off. Caught up in watching the dog, I came upon a section of path secluded from view which always makes me nervous. If I was attacked here, I worried, no one would see.
Sitting nearby up the hill was a dirty man wearing a heavy coat and long pants. The day was very hot and his clothing was jarringly out of place. He had the look of a homeless, mentally ill drug addict, and he was watching me intently. Fear gripped me suddenly and all knowledge of how to respond to a threat fled. I began to panic.
Something brushed my leg. I looked down in disbelief to see the dog walking next to me, at heel. Anyone observing would have been convinced the dog was mine and was well trained. Relief flooded me as we walked safely past the secluded part of the path into the open and away from the frightful man.
Tears ran down my face as the Lord’s assurance of always being with me struck home. My anxious thoughts at the start of the day were of my husband’s upcoming deployment. “I cannot do it, Lord,” I tell Him. “I am with you,” He says. “I do not want to do it, Lord,” I reply. “I am with you,” He repeats. “Please, give me another path,” I plead. “I am with you,” He reminds. “Not my will, but Your will be done,” I finally say.
The Lord will be with us through the scary bit, through those times we do not choose, on those paths we do not want to walk. He will not leave us; He will not forsake us. Remember, we may not know what is ahead on the path, but He does.
Dear Lord, help me through this scary situation. Walk with me for I am afraid and dismayed, and please still my overwhelming fear. If I must keep walking this path, be with me and grant me comfort. Direct me in the way I should go and give me peace. Thank You for reminding me that I do not walk this path alone. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Application Steps:
Reflect on a frightening situation from your past. Recollect evidence of the Lord’s presence with you at the time and any key verses which encouraged you. Study and memorize additional verses from God’s Word and pray those verses over your current situation. Sing the Christian chorus “Be Bold! Be Strong!”
Reflections:
Are you avoiding a difficult path that God is calling you to walk?
Has a scary situation frozen you in fear?
Where does your help come from?
Power Verses:
Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Psalm 23:4 “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
Great thought Mugs! It made me cry and remember how difficult my year was when Mark was deployed. Great seeing you and your family on Saturday.
Kristin…We had a great time with you and your family as well. Thanks for being such a welcoming friend.