Going Mama Grizzly

My son was playing around in a public lake as I watched from the shore. He happilyentertained himself in the tepid water, splashing about and making sound effects. One of his stray splashes sprayed droplets of water on a group of older middle school girls who became annoyed and proceeded to taunt him.I don’t get angry very often. It takes a lot to push me over the edge, except for when someone is picking-on or attacking my children. Then, I go all mama grizzly.I rose from my towel and leisurely walked into the water keeping my gaze on the group of girls the entire time. One of them noticed and elbowed her friend. A hush fell over the group, and jittery glances slid my way. I waded up next to my son and said, “Hi Bud, having fun?” then, once again, eyed the young girls. They slowly swam away, uncomfortable in the presence of the mother of the child of whom they were making fun.It wasn’t my most mature moment to wade in with the intention of intimidating a group of young girls, but I felt the need to intervene. I didn’t have to raise my voice, yell, or give them a dose of their own medicine. I didn’t even have to speak. My presence was enough to make them leave.God’s presence is enough. How often do we fight to work through an attack or problem by ourselves, strategizing, replaying the issue over and over again in our minds? Sleep eludes us. We become emotionally exhausted and physically spent. When, instead, all we have to do is cry out, “Dad, help!”When we pray for God to intervene, He will happily step in and make His presence known. Our battles are nothing for our great God who is willing to go mama grizzly on our enemies. In Isaiah 49:25 God says, “I will contend with those who contend with you.”When our enemies sound their war cry, we need to follow the lead of King David and pray:“Lord, you have seen this; do not be silent.Do not be far from me, Lord.Awake, and rise to my defense!Contend for me, my God and Lord.Vindicate me in your righteousness, Lord my God;do not let them gloat over me.”  - Psalm 35:22-24Or use Jehoshaphat’s example that he prayed before defeating Moab and Ammon, “If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us.” – 2 Chronicles 20:9Step aside and introduce your problem to your God.See how it holds up in the shadow of God’s presence.Don't miss a post! Sign-up for my weekly blog by clicking here: Lorri's Blog Posts