There was an unusual day in my childhood that I will never
forget. It was the day my dad and an animal intruder confronted each other in my
grandmother’s farm home. It was not just any animal but one, which no other
animal in its right mind would tangle with. I have heard that even a grizzly
bear will not dispute with this little fur ball even when food is involved. The
bear will back off and never make contact or contest it. He knows that even
though he could win over it he would be the loser.
Sometimes man is not so smart. Things that we do not understand we should leave
alone. However, the challenge was too great and so my dad being from the city
and unfamiliar with the ways of wild creatures took matters into his own hands.
He reasoned that a quick kill could stop the power of the built in defense
mechanism of the skunk but he was wrong. An old fashioned metal rake and a fast
strike were his impulsive plan but this was no match. The skunk lost but not
before he let the rest of the farm know he had been there. In the split second
before calamity fell he reeked havoc. His contribution to air pollution was
never in doubt and the odor stayed with the house for weeks in spite of all the
scrubbing and airing.
Dad was embarrassed and felt as dumb as dirt. Grandma was more than a little
miffed at her son in law and probably agreed that he was not acting real smart.
Wisdom in any and every tense situation can be ours in a hurry if we will just
ask God for it. James 1:5 We cannot always depend on our quick wit or impulse.
Too often we act first and think later.
There is only one way to deal with a skunk. It is the same way we must deal with
temptations and sin. Don’t use impulsive action. Dealing with sin on impulse can
get us into big trouble. It is like hitting a skunk. We may win but we are going
to get the worst of it. Be “smarter than the average bear” and back away from
temptation while you pray for wisdom and strength, direction and speed as you
run away from its power to make you a loser.
We could learn from the Grizzly bear.
Receive our free newsletters
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
everyone to look towards Jesus as the source of all the solutions to our
problems. It contains a daily inspirational story, a Bible verse and encouraging
messages. HTML and plain text versions available.
The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.