Clawing Our Way Out
Posted by Andrea
Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)
Not too long ago, while sitting in our sunroom, I heard a disturbing noise. It sounded as if something was trying to scratch its way up through the floor. After few more minutes of careful listening, I realized that an animal had gotten trapped underneath the sunroom and behind the lattice fence surrounding it.
I moved over to the window to see if I could spot the animal trying to free itself. When I peered out, I could see the fence rattling violently as a rabbit tried to push its way to freedom. Its initial efforts were unsuccessful so the rabbit then attempted to chew its way through the lattice.
Later in the day, my husband ventured out to see if he could help set the rabbit free and save the lattice from destruction. After a short time JT reentered the house and explained that he had found the rabbit and the large hole through which the rabbit had entered. JT further explained that the rabbit could easily escape through that same hole provided it calmed down enough and got its bearings straight.
Have you ever found yourself in a situation similar to the rabbit’s? I know I have. It’s easy to become overwhelmed by the latest problem life hurls at us. Before we even fully recognize it, we’ve convinced ourselves that we’re trapped and we then frantically expel precious time and energy trying to extricate ourselves from the situation.
Often times our first inclination is to try and handle the problem alone. Unfortunately, when we do so, the results are usually detrimental. We become so fixated with trying to push, scratch, scrape, and claw our way out of misery, that we drain our strength and lose our focus. It is only when we settle down that we see that God is near. He is there all the while. Watching. Waiting. Beckoning. Ready to come to our aid when we stop trying to claw our way out.
Are you in the midst of a challenging situation? Are you devising plans to escape the trouble independently? Like the rabbit, have your futile escape efforts left you bruised, battered, frightened, and worn out? If so, I encourage you to do three things:
Give up your misplaced dependencies. Stop relying on outside sources to rescue you. None of us will ever be able to find true peace, joy, value, happiness, or refuge in external things. The only way we can experience these things fully is when we depend God, the One who dwells inside every believer.
Banish foolish notions and futile efforts. We can’t fix this our problems independently and no amount of scratching and clawing will improve the situation. We must admit to the Lord that we’re in a mess and tell him that we’re not content to stay there. He is our omnipotent Father and already knows all about every situation we find ourselves in, but He wants us to talk directly to Him. We must pour out our hearts in prayer, tell the Lord how we found ourselves trapped in such a difficult situation, and ask Him to provide a way of escape.
Embrace the Lord. Ask Him for guidance and direction. As we travel the road to freedom, we must not grumble about the way of escape. Many times the road leading to the problem was complex, and the way out will be just as complex. Along the way we may experience chastening, so we must be prepared to accept it and continue moving along.
As we do these things, we will experience peace and eventually freedom. We can rest our worn and weary bodies and relax knowing that our Savior will make a way of escape for us!
Excellent analogy and right on time !
Glad you were blessed:)