Me and a Skunk on a Rainy Day

Some days are just harder than others. For example, we recently had a big thunderstorm hit right as I was leaving work. I managed to get to my car without getting too wet, but I wasn’t going straight home that day. I was picking up a meal to take to a friend, which I was able to deliver despite the weather. However, the rain was coming down in sheets by the time I left her house, and to make matters worse, I was in Hewitt at a quarter til five. All I can say, is bless everyone’s hearts who live in Hewitt.  There was traffic everywhere and the torrential rain did not help in the least.

Relief flooded my soul when I finally pulled in my driveway, but when I clicked on the garage door opener, nothing happened. I got out of the car in the pouring rain to use the manual keypad, only to find that it wasn’t working either. It then dawned on me that the power must be out. I had no other options at that point, so I grabbed my bags out of the car and waded through the puddles to the front door.

I was about to put the key in the lock when I happened to look over my shoulder only to behold a skunk scampering up the sidewalk in an attempt to find higher ground. He saw me at the exact moment I spied him, and he skidded to a stop. His tail went up, and I cried out, “Lord! Lord! I need to work this lock.”

The Lord heard my prayer, and I did not drop the keys. As I threw open the door, I glanced back and thankfully the skunk was nowhere to be seen. He must have decided that flight was a better option than spraying me in the pouring rain.

Thankfully, I survived my day, but there are the times when we haven't come through unscathed. Days where we did drop something that we shouldn’t have. Or received news that was overwhelming. Or had heartbreak that we simply could not bear. How in those moments do we keep from falling into fear and despair? I ask you; how do we rejoice in all circumstances when the circumstance really is crummy?

And that is the million-dollar question. How do we live a life of joy and peace in this broken world, because, let’s face it, that’s the last thing Satan wants for any of us. His plan is for God’s people to live in fear, and while he has no power against God, he delights in inflicting pain on us. He is our real enemy, which is why Peter described him as a roaring lion prowling around looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8).

I find it interesting that Peter chose a lion to describe Satan. Jesus is described as the Lion of Judah, and referring to Satan as one is a stark contrast to the noble image usually conveyed by that animal. However, the comparison should serve as a warning for us. While they are beautiful creatures, they are not like our household cats. This beast can destroy you.  

So, what do we do?

We stay alert!

Yes, Peter warned believers to be alert and sober minded (1 Peter 5:8). Think with me in how a lion hunts. They are not going to run straight into a herd of gazelles. Instead, they watch their prey looking for ones who are sick, or young, or straggling behind the others. The gazelles who are not with the pack will find themselves being pounced on when they least expect it, which is why we must heed Peter words and stay alert.

When we feel alone, weak, helpless, and cut off from God and other believers, we can become so focused on our own troubles that we forget to watch for signs of danger. In those times, we are especially vulnerable to Satan’s attacks and believe me when I say that Satan knows our weaknesses better than we do.

How you ask? He lives on this earth and roams around from place to place (Job 1:7). As C.S. Lewis said, we live in enemy-occupied territory; therefore, we must be vigilant, knowing an attack can occur at any moment.

It seems hopeless, though. How can we defend ourselves against an enemy like that?

Let’s stop and consider our resources. To be honest, on our own, we are like the little gazelle or wildebeest that you see the lion take down in the nature shows. Satan wants us to be frightened by the chaos that we see all around us and overwhelmed by the problems that we face. He keeps whispering that evil will triumph. He will prevail, but it’s all a lie.

Spoiler Alert…. Christ has already won this battle!

God is with his people, and he gives us what we need to stand firm even when it feels like everything is falling apart. Satan wants us to think that he is more powerful than God, but that’s only his illusion. As believers, we must remember that “the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)

Our God is stronger, but we must believe it. We must resist Satan’s attacks! Hear again the words of Peter, “Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of suffering.” (1 Peter 5:9)

I read that the word Peter used here, resist, is a term of defense rather than attack. Think back to the prey that the lion looks for – the slow, the stragglers, the weak – now think about us. How do we protect ourselves from falling prey to Satan’s trap? We resist evil by standing fast in the truth of God’s word (1 Peter 5:12). We remain steadfast in our faith, and we stay connected to other believers.

The writer of Hebrews exhorted the believers to continue to meet together, “encouraging one another – all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:25) We need the encouragement and help of other Christians, and the only way to do that is by being together. We are stronger together then we are alone, and as the “Day” that Christ will return draws closer, we will face more and more spiritual struggles. Those who hate God’s people will grow in strength, and we must trust in Christ to see us through these turbulent times.

He is our shield (Psalm 28:7).

He is our refuge (Psalm 46:1).

He is our deliverer (Psalm 18:2).

He is… Not me or you.

Therefore, we resist. We stand firm, because we know Who has already won the battle!

As I come to a close, one of my favorite verses keeps coming to my mind:

“Moses answered the people, ‘Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.’” (Exodus 14:13-14)

Friends, the same God who led the people through the water and defeated the might of the Egyptian army is with us now. He will defend us, so the next time you see a skunk, or a lion, or whatever shape your enemy has taken running down your sidewalk, do not fear because our God is greater!

Ad maiorem Dei gloriam… For the glory of God!  Lisa

Discussion Questions

In what ways might the devil be prowling like a roaring lion in the world today? In other words, what skunks or lions have you encountered?

How does prayer factor into standing firm in your faith?

How has being a part of a community of believers helped you to stay alert?