Run to the Roar

Season 3 Episode 9 -- Lions live in groups called prides.  A pride works together as they stalk their prey.  The method they utilize illustrates an important biblical principle of life.  Curious about what principle of life I am referring to?  Listen to this episode and find out!

"Reflect on This" is a once-a-week, short devotional podcast, where I share what I am learning about following Jesus, through applying eternal biblical principles to life, in practical ways.  Not religion, but RELATIONSHIP - relationship with Jesus!
 
If you like the podcast, please tell your friends and family about it, and subscribe/follow it, because it helps others to find the podcast more easily (because having more followers raises the podcast higher in search results).
 
Resources that inspired some episodes:

"Worship Is My Weapon" podcast by Rita Springer:  https://youtu.be/RucXhr1zYGU?si=WeVTpssmUP4rMXlL 

"My Heart, Christ's Home" by Robert Munger

"The Language of Rivers and Stars" by Seth Lewis

“Dream Small:  The Secret Power of the Ordinary Christian Life” by Seth Lewis

Seth Lewis blog:  https://sethlewis.ie/

35 Bible Verses About Listening To Others (Explained) - Bible Repository 

"Restoration Year: Devotions to Transform Your Relationships, Spirit, and Faith" by John Eldredge

"Boundaries" by Henry Cloud and John Townsend

"The Pleasure of His Company" by Dutch Sheets

"Fresh Air" by Chris Hodges

“The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts” by Gary Chapman

"The Lies We Believe: Renew Your Mind and Transform Your Life" by Dr. Chris Thurman

Featured ministries and resources:
 
“Agape Puppets” (ministry)
This is an amazing world-wide ministry that uses puppet shows to reach children (and their parents) for Christ, in cultures that are generally not very open to the Gospel.  To learn more, go to: https://theagapepuppets.org/ 

"Manufacture Good" (ministry)
Manufacture Good is a Christian ministry that offers paid apprenticeships to men who need a second chance.  These apprentices learn biblical principles, character, and valuable woodworking and metalworking skills which lead to employment opportunities.  You can shop their catalog of fine home and office products, order a standard or custom piece of furniture, make a donation, and learn more about this amazing ministry, at: https://manufacturegood.org/.

"The World and Everything in It" (podcast)
This is a weekday 35-minute podcast that presents headline news, in-depth news articles, media reviews, and opinion pieces from a Christian world view.  Their stated mission is "biblically objective journalism that informs, educates, and inspires."
 
“Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage” (podcast) 
This is a once a week 30-minute podcast hosted by Greg and Erin Smalley, who head up the marriage team at Focus on the Family.  Each episode addresses a different aspect of marriage, using biblical principles, featured guests, practical advice, and a mixture of humor and candidness.  
 
"e-Sword" (Bible study software)
This study tool includes many free (and low-cost) resources, including Bibles, dictionaries, commentaries, and devotionals.  It allows you to simultaneously view verses and their corresponding cross-references, lexicon entries, commentaries, and more.
On your computer, go to e-sword.net
On your mobile device, go to your app store and search for “e-sword.” 

Music credits:
Beauty by MaxKoMusic | https://maxkomusic.com/
Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all

Transcript

God periodically reminds me of some important biblical principles that He taught my wife and I many years ago, related to how we are to deal with our fears and worries.  We have had many opportunities to apply these principles to our everyday lives, and have seen their value and effectiveness.  Today I wanted to share one such principle.

Lions live in groups called prides.  A pride works together as they stalk their prey.  As they secretly begin to circle an unsuspecting animal, the oldest, slowest lion (with the loudest roar) will be on one side of the circle, and the younger, faster lions will be on the other side.  When they are ready to attack, the oldest lion will begin roaring as loudly and fiercely as possible.  The prey will instinctively run away from the roar, and will unknowingly be running right into the best, fastest hunters in the pride.

Where would have been a safer place for the prey to run?  Surprisingly, the answer is directly toward the roaring lion!  That lion is slower and therefore easier to flee from.

This is a great illustration of a very important principle.  When we are facing a major challenge, it is best to face the problem and move toward it, rather than trying to run from it.  The problem will only get worse, and the outcome more serious, if we don’t face it and deal with it.  

As humans, we are prone to fears and worries.  That is why God says “do not fear” or “fear not” or “do not be afraid” 108 times in the Scriptures!  

Deuteronomy 31:6 NASB  "Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you."

Fear is not of God, nor has He given us the spirit of fear:

2 Timothy 1:7 NASB  For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.

So, where does fear come from?  Our adversary, the devil. He seeks to devour believers with fear and worry:

1 Peter 5:8 NASB  Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Notice the powerful word picture in this verse?  The roaring lion is WAY less of a threat than at first we perceive it.  That is how the devil is.  He sounds powerful, but Jesus has already defeated him on our behalf.  The only power the devil has over us is what we give him.

Deuteronomy 31:8 NASB  "The LORD is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed."

So, what are some practical ways to apply these biblical principles to our fears and worries?

• Make a list of your fears.  
   
  • For each fear, list the immediate consequences that could happen.
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  • Then, for each fear, list a benefit of each possible consequence.
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  • This helps you to face each fear, and to put a realistic boundary around each fear.
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  • My wife summarizes this principle as “run to the roar.”
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  • By running to the roar, you deal with the fear before it escalates into an even more stressful situation.
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• List your worries.
   
  • For each worry, ask if that area of life is a responsibility that God has given you, or someone else.
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  • If you realize that it is a responsibility of another person, then release that responsibility to that person, and trust God with the results.
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  • This will help you to release the associated worry about that responsibility as well.
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O God, how Your ways are higher than our ways!  Your ways are in many cases the exact opposite of what our natural reasoning would tell us to do.  When I am facing fears or worries, my natural tendency is to run away from them.  Yet You remind me to trust You, face those fears, and even to run to those fears, in the power of the Holy Spirit.  God, I purpose to have as my motto “run to the roar,” as a reminder of what to do when faced with a fearful or worrisome situation.

Today, I encourage you to “Reflect on This.”