Friday’s Devotion: Standing My Ground

Friday’s Devotion:  Standing My Ground

Mark 5:32-34 (NIV)  But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it.  Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth.  He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”

Yesterday morning as I walked in my neighborhood, a large dark-coated German shepherd ran across the street in front of me.  By his body language he appeared wary and submissive. He ran up some steps and sat on the front porch of a home watching me. I walked by trying to not appear as a threat but keeping an eye on him until I was past the house to make sure he was still on the porch.  As I went over a little hill and passed the next home I suddenly heard him running up behind me. For the first time in awhile I felt genuine fear.  I turned around and spoke firmly to him (I’m not sure what I said now) and then told him to go home.  He stopped and reluctantly started home but then as I backed away he came towards me again.  Once again I told him to go home then backed up until I was sure he was out of sight.  I don’t know if his intention was to attack me or join me on my walk.  If it were the former, running away could have been disastrous.  By standing firm, I prevailed.  The woman in the crowd who touched Jesus’ robe was afraid also but she didn’t run.  By staying she received a double blessing – physical healing and a compliment from the divine Son of God.  There are extreme circumstances when running is the best choice but more often we will do better if we take a stance and face our fears.

Dear Lord, give us the strength and courage to stand firm in the face of adversity. Thank you for keeping us safe in dangerous situations.  We pray for a hedge of protection around ourselves and those we love.  In Jesus name we pray.  Amen.