Scaling Back: Lions and Foxes

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Lions and Foxes — Oh No!

The lesson this week gave us some great visual images of our enemy.

The roaring, prowling lion waiting to devour me is intimidating and I'm totally OK with standing back and letting God take care of him. Instinctively I know I'm out of my league when it comes to taking the devil on.

Heart disease, diabetes, blood clots, cancer in my life? I need God. He will sustain, strengthen, comfort and defeat the roaring lion. Biggies like that call for a Big God.

But what about the foxes?

I always think I can handle them on my own and don't want to bother God with small stuff. I am often lulled into a false sense of security thinking that I can handle the stress, boredom, loneliness, bitterness, insecurity and worry by standing guard, building fences and even asking friends to help shoo them away. Other methods of coping are found in a box of Betty Crocker brownie mix, Blue Bell ice cream and a second helping of macaroni and cheese…

Problem is, I might be successful occasionally, but another fox pops up, then another, and another. Picture a wack-a-mole game if you will, and before you know it, I'm even more stressed, bored, lonely, bitter, insecure and worried — and I've gained 10 more pounds!

I need to take it to heart that God is interested in all aspects of my life. He's there for me with the big stuff, and the small stuff. And it's only through Him that I will be able to claim victory over the roaring lion and little foxes. When I'm focused on God, and God alone, the junk around me won't have a chance to bring me down.

The very least I can do is be self controlled and alert and avoid the roaring lion and little foxes when possible. Doing so will honor God and provide me with daily victory and daily joy!

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Taking His Word to heart

Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.

Psalm 31:24

My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises.

Psalm 119:148

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Galatians 6:9

Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O Lord.

Psalm 89:15

Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods. Psalm 40:4

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Just because something is technically legal doesn't mean that it's spiritually appropriate. If I went around doing whatever I thought I could get by with, I'd be a slave to my whims. 1 Corinthians 6:12 MSG

Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. Deuteronomy 30:11

It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it. Ecclesiastes 5:

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

1 Peter 5:8

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 2 Corinthians 10:4

Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.

Jeremiah 33:3

We make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.

2 Corinthians 5:9

However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me — the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.
Acts 20:24

"Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit," says the Lord Almighty.
Zechariah 4:6