What If It’s a Rattler?!

So, I recently got a job at a Christian camp. I started last Friday and worked throughout the weekend. That is why I did not post on Saturday like I normally do. So, from now on, I will post once a week and try my hardest to keep my posts on Saturday, but there will be no designated day I will post. Anyway, just so you all know, my job so far has been a lovely experience, and the people are wonderful too! But I would love to share with you a little incident I experienced.

A couple of nights ago, I was helping close. This, for me, entails sweeping and mopping the floors. Now, given it is nighttime as well as being a camp in the forest, the dark is slightly eerie to me, even with lights on in a building. I do not know why, maybe I do have a slight fear of the dark, or I have watched too many scary movies in my lifetime lol! Anyhow… As I was sweeping, something came slithering past my feet. In between my legs, in fact. Of course, being who I am, I jumped back in fear. The first thing I thought of was that it was a snake. Then I thought, “what if it is a baby rattler?!” Upon closer examination, I noticed feet and I realized I was looking at an alligator lizard. Given that they have freakishly long tails, it is no wonder I mistook it for a snake at first.   

The reason I mentioned this little experience of mine is that it made me think. I looked at this lizard by my feet and related it to certain situations we may be faced with or have to go through. Life happens, right? Troubling and difficult times may all of a sudden appear as the lizard did. And sometimes when we see or experience these troubling situations, we think of the worst-case scenario possible, like I did when I questioned whether the lizard was a rattlesnake. But here is the thing:

We have to remember that God is with us. He is always with us.

The book of Isaiah is a wonderful one in the Bible. Not only does it call the nation of Judah back to God, but it also tells and predicts God’s salvation through the Messiah. Yes, the first 39 chapters carry the message of judgment for sin, but then the last 27 chapters bring words of forgiveness, comfort, and hope. It is in one of these last chapters that help me when I am faced with a certain troubling situation.

"…Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior…" – Isaiah 43:1b-3a

Did you notice the words in the verses above, “When you?” When you pass through the waters when you pass through the rivers when you walk through the fire. The troubling or bad situations are going to happen. That lizard is going to run by your feet. You are going to have to deal with it. I had to deal with the lizard. But the question is, how are you going to handle it?

When bad situations suddenly appear, we cannot rely on our own strength. Because when we do, we can make the situation worse than it is. We do this by overthinking, becoming fearful, and jumping to the worst-case scenarios that could result. We panic. We can end up fooling ourselves into believing that the lizard is a poisonous snake. But that doesn’t have to happen. It does not have to happen because God is with us. We can rely on His strength because we are His.

Yes, the waters we are faced with may be rough. The waters in the rivers we are faced with may be high. The fire we are faced with will be hot. But He is with us. We can pass through this. This situation will not drown you because He is right there with you teaching you how to swim. Like He did Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; He will guide you through the flames so that you will not get burned.

No matter the situation you are faced with, go into it with a head held high with joy. Because the Good Lord is with you every step of the way, teaching you, guiding you, and strengthening you with His strength. Have a wonderful week! God Bless!