Duck or Punch? Part Two
photo via Unsplash
“Ahh, the fond memories from my middle school years,” said no one ever. But I must confess that the story I’m about to share leans to the positive side. Maybe.
Two weeks ago, I recounted the day I outmaneuvered the “gang” of 1st grade boys who’d been causing trouble on the playground. If you missed it, click here to read about learning to duck.
This week, we graduate to middle school.
There was this boy — yes, a boy! Again! — and I think his name was Simon. He wasn’t mean, nor was he part of a “gang,” as I referred to the mischief-makers in grade school. He was just … super annoying!
Do you remember in the Book of Acts where that poor slave girl was uninvitedly following the Apostle Paul around, bothering him? “She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, ‘In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!’ At that moment the spirit left her” Acts 16:18. That angle better describes my mood for this junior high scenario.
For whatever reason (probably love-interest), Simon started running into me. As in, he’d run toward me, arms folded in front of him, and bump into me. (I know, a repeat from elementary school, only an older version of the mischief maker.) At first, I just ignored him. Then I told him to Stop it. But, he kept it up for a couple of weeks, every day in gym class — BUMP. Then he’d laugh as I stumbled, trying to regain my footing.
Finally, I’d had enough. I knew he was not doing it to be mean, and I didn’t want to be a tattletale, I was just so annoyed. So one day, when I saw him coming, I stopped and glowered at him. Undaunted, he charged straight for me, arms folded across his chest, ready to bump into me. I stood my ground, stretched my arm straight out, made a fist, and he ran into it — nose first. He ran into my stationary fist.
Sometimes you duck. Other days you take a stand and resisted.
photo via Unsplash
The struggle is real!
If you’re like me, you’ve experienced moments when a trial or a relational situation caught you off guard. Maybe, at first, you harbored a suspicion of trouble, but really, it seemed harmless. Nothing deadly, just an occasional stubbed toe. Yet that trial (or person) kept bumping into you … over and over … until it became an annoyance. In time, it grew into a distraction, perhaps even causing you to lose sleep.
Then one day, you woke up and realized: “This cannot continue!” Yet the annoying situation sounds so absurd that you feel silly trying to tell someone what’s going on.
Perhaps these common annoyances are more easily resolved than we think.
photo via Unsplash
To duck or punch, that is the question.
That moment when you wake up and declare “This must stop,” might actually be God’s call to action. Don’t ignore it, but don’t trust your own limited knowledge. Trust the Omniscient One.
“So submit to [the authority of] God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him] and he will flee from you.”
James 4:7 (The Amplified Bible)
Trust the Higher Authority who sees your problem in detail. God sees every irritation and nuisance the enemy uses to badger and derail you. When I’m badgered, either my character is exposed or my faith grows — my choice. Submitting first, then resisting, is a sure win.
“Above all, lift up the [protective] shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.”
Ephesians 6:16 (The Amplified Bible)
Victory!
photo by Unsplash
I picture the shield of faith working the way my fist did when Simon rushed me. I wasn’t wearing brass knuckles and I wasn’t a martial artist. But when I extended my little hand to resist, it miraculously stopped the charging bear, who turned out to be nothing more than a puny little cub.
Just like the Apostle Paul, my stationary punch put a stop to the annoyance.
Friend, stand strong, submit to God, hold your shield at arms length, and watch the enemy’s irritation be thrown back by the Strength of God protecting you.
Father in Heaven, I submit to You the “annoyance” in my life today. Show me Your plan for me to defeat this situation that is derailing me from my purpose. Help me to raise the Shield of Faith. In Jesus’s name. Amen
Sowing Seeds of Bravery to Resist
