Recently,
local news coverage focused on a weird occurrence in the Twin Cities metro
area. Apparently, around one of Minnesota’s 10,000 lakes, there were wild fox
attacks of two lake goers. They were enjoying the beauty of the summer day,
walking their dogs and biking, when, blamm-o- they’re fending off an element of
nature who insists on sinking its teeth in their legs.
This
“shouldn’t have” happened. After all, this was a scenic area, open to the
public. People had been hiking, biking and walking their dogs for years in this
place, with no incidents like this.
As I watched
the broadcast segments, complete with updates on how these unfortunate
individuals were in the process of receiving rabies shots “just in case,” I was
struck by how, we are, likewise, occasionally hit from a strange attack,
seemingly “out of nowhere.”
These things
don’t make sense. They include the betrayals from least likely loved ones, the
lethal diagnosis, spiting our healthy lifestyle choices and the extreme act of
nature which ravages our homes and families.
Despite our
intentions and efforts, these “things” happen.
“I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle
to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of
understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to
them all.”
Ecclesiastes
9:11
Yet, with
that eternally said, it often still doesn’t cancel the “why question” we ask
when these things hit.
“Why is this happening to me?”
Scripture
gives us abundant answers, even if they feel far from satisfying...
“But all these things
will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent
me.”
John 15:21
“The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.”
“The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.”
Matthew 10:24
“For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to
face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.”
1 Corinthians 13:12
We see
through our life glass very darkly. We don’t understand.
But there is
purpose; there is meaning, even if/when we don’t see it. And, spiritually
speaking, there is merit...
“For our light
affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and
eternal weight of glory;”
2 Corinthians 4:17
Again, it’s
not satisfying to our carnal natures.
What is the
proverbial fox attacking you right now?
If nothing is going on, just wait.
It’s not to
be negative; it’s to be realistic.
Again...
“I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle
to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of
understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to
them all.”
Ecclesiastes
9:11
Yet, we are
to take comfort in still more powerful reality checks...
“…I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is
none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what
is still to come. I say, 'My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I
please.' From the east I summon a bird of prey; from a far-off land, a man to
fulfill my purpose. What I have said, that I will bring about; what I have
planned, that I will do.”
Isaiah 46:9-11
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the
Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Jeremiah 29:11
No matter
what the attack “attempt” may be, the ultimate counterattack challenge is for
each of us to respond with the Word from the Most High.
“For the word of God is quick, and
powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing
asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of
the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
Hebrews 4:12
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my
ways, says the Lord. For as the
heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My
thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:8-9
Scripture,
indeed, conquers all!
Copyright © 2016 by Sheryle Cruse
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