How to Defeat Grasshopper Thinking

I’m a country girl at heart having spent most of my childhood outdoors. When you do, especially in Southwest Louisiana, you can’t help but become acquainted with bugs and insects. I'd lie in the lush grass and watch as mosquito hawks danced, ants marched, grasshoppers bounced and, my personal favorite, rolly pollys meandered. They were each tiny creatures existing within a larger, more powerful world. 

Sometimes we feel equally small in light of seemingly giant obstacles in our lives. Perhaps you’ve felt that way as you faced a loved one’s progressive disease, or the loss of a job, or a rebellious child, or a depleted bank account. If so, you aren’t alone.

The Israelites felt powerless when they surveyed the inhabitants of the Promised Land. Ten men were sent out to explore, eight came back overwhelmed by the obstacles seen, reporting that they felt as helpless as grasshoppers. As a result, the people were afraid to enter God’s blessing.  Instead, they wandered in the wilderness for forty years until only their children gained entrance. 

That is, all but two. Joshua and Caleb were part of the ten, yet they refused to be defeated by grasshoppers. It didn’t matter what their eyes saw; what mattered was how big God was. They knew what He’d already done for them and trusted that He would provide a way. They walked in obedience and entered the Promise Land.

Message for the Journey:

Can any obstacle be bigger than God? When you seem insignificant compared to the situation around you, stand firm. Don’t be like the Israelites and miss God’s blessings because you allow grasshopper feelings to overrule what you know. Trust God and in obedience, press on.

©Ann Wilds

He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in.(Isaiah 40:22)

How to Remain Calm in a Crisis

Many people quickly forget an important fact in the midst of a crisis. Instead of remaining calm they panic, in turn, causing greater damage. We learn of the tragic consequence of these lapses in the news. People are crushed when fire breaks out in a crowded venue because others panic rushing madly for the exit. Swimmers drown when they panic, instead of remaining calm, preventing the rescuer's attempts to save them.  The single worst thing for anyone to do in a crisis is panic. 

We grasp this when it comes to our children. Because we care about protecting them from needless harm, we teach them the skill of remaining calm. In school we practice fire drills so that they'll calmly exit a building. In tornado prone areas we have drills so they'll learn to automatically head for safety. We teach them to stop, drop and roll in case their clothing catches fire. So how is it that we fail to learn this same skill from our Father? He, too, wants His children to avoid harm so provides lessons in His word.  

Stop: 

When trouble comes, He teaches us to pause first to remember who it is that's on our side. No matter the size of the crisis, there's no need to panic. 

         

"The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm."

(Exodus 14:14)

Drop:

Whatever the need, He wants us to bring it to Him. Dropping to our knees is the surest way to overcome the situation and calm our fear.

"For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs."

(Zephaniah 3:17)

Roll: 

As long as we keep our focus on Him, we will be able to take the next step. In Him, we'll roll on down the road in the peace that passes all understanding. Whether He chooses to calm the storm or to simply calm us, we'll be kept in peace.

"You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!"

(Isaiah 26:3)

Lessons for the Journey:

Life can sometimes feel like a battlefield surrounding you with crisis on many sides. Circumstances rage against you. People try to defeat you. Regardless of the manner of the attack, be it with weapons or with words, never lose hope just stop, drop and roll. The victory is certain because the power to overcome does not come from you. Remain calm trusting in God. It is He who fights in your stead and no power -of earth or of hell- can ever defeat Him.

"And the Lord gave them rest on every side, just as he had solemnly promised their ancestors. None of their enemies could stand against them, for the Lord helped them conquer all their enemies."

(Joshua 21:44)

©AnnWilds2012  

How to Respond in a Crisis

A merchant ship with 276 people on board was struck by hurricane force winds while at sea. The gale was severe and raged for over two weeks battering the craft relentlessly. In an effort to save the ship and their lives, the crew took drastic action—they threw the cargo overboard. When that was unsuccessful, they threw important equipment off to further lighten the load. The trip had not been intended to last as long as it had so food was also of concern. They rationed their supplies, even going without eating. The crew and passengers were terrified. They gave up hope, certain they would all die—all except one.

On this ship was a Christian believer who had faith in God’s promise that he would not be destroyed. Remaining calm in the midst of the storm, he encouraged them all to eat in order to keep their strength. He openly shared his faith and by doing so, reassured the others. Trouble did not dissipate instantly; the ship broke up when it ran aground in shallow water. Yet just as the believer, the apostle Paul, promised, not a single life was lost.  

When crisis strikes, do you respond calmly like Paul? Or do you immediately act out in fear as the crew of the ship did? As believers, how we respond in a crisis is a clear indicator of where we are placing our trust and our faith.  When trouble comes:

1.      Don’t Panic- 

We’ve all seen people who respond like Chicken Little running around saying the sky is falling when troubles arise. Don’t allow yourself to become like them giving in to fear and distress. Keep things in perspective. Remember your King has everything under control. We may not know why something is happening, but He certainly does.

2.      Trust God’s word to you-

An angel spoke directly to Paul assuring him of God’s promise to keep him safe. Likely you won’t have an angel speaking to you of God’s assurances for your life, but He does speak directly to you in His word. Search it and stand on His promises about your situation. 

3.      Walk out your faith-

It’s easy to say you trust God when things are going well but it’s in the midst of the storm you demonstrate that trust. When your faith is in the fire, paraphrase Daniel 3:17-18—God is able…but if He doesn’t, we will still stand firm in faith.

                                                                                                                                ©AnnWilds2011

If you enjoyed this article, why not share it with a friend, tweet it and "like" it on Facebook.