Mock Bear Attacks

 My brother told me a story about a group that was having a tour in the wilderness some where. While they were admiring nature, a large bear began to charge toward them. The experienced nature guide instructed them to NOT move at all, but to stay very still and motionless.

I can only imagine the fear that gripped them, having to trust the instinct of their guide. I can imagine every muscle in their body screamed to turn and run away in the face of potentially grave danger.

As the bear charged toward them, faster and faster, he finally came to a stop, hit his thigh and still no reaction from the group, turned and began to saunter away back where he came from.

The nature guide, however, knew that the bear was only attempting to pick a fight. It was a mock bear attack. Sometimes the bears will do that simply to get a reaction and if they get one, if the prey shows fear and begins to run away, the bear will then chase it down and actually attack.


I believe spiritual warfare is like that sometimes. Satan comes roaring toward us to scare us off our path, to frighten us into moving backward instead of progressing forward. Then Christ comes along and says:

 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." Psalm 46:10

How we need to express our faith and obedience to our experienced guide, God. Our bodies and minds scream to run away, retreat,  prepare for battle, take a stance of defense. Sometimes we need not do anything but stand firm. Do not veer from the path set before you, stand in the face of fear, of challenge and simply trust our savior.

When Jesus rebuked the wind;

Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. Mark 4:39

He simply said "Peace, be still!"  He did not retreat, he did not prepare to fight it, He simply instructed the storm to quiet itself and it rolled away.

How many times would we have blocked ministry opportunities or missed seeing God at work if we simply ran away from challenge? Or if we decided to take matters into our own hands?

Let's stand firm and quiet today, no matter what life decides to throw in front of you.