83 Bears in the Night
Wayne is a volunteer scout master at his church. He took his troop camping in the woods one time. After a fun day of hiking and games, Wayne got his troop to set up their tents at the camp site. He was warned by the park ranger to make sure that their food supplies were suspended in trees to minimize the danger of bears stumbling into the camp site.
A few hours after the troop turned in for the night, Wayne woke up with a start as he heard a really loud noise outside his tent. Fear gripped his insides. Wayne became very still and listened intently. Was it a bear? The rustling noise became a little louder. Although Wayne was very much afraid, he crawled out of his tent with his flashlight. He had to go out for the sake of the children with him.
Wayne fumbled with his flashlight and turned it on. He pointed it a the source of the noise. It was a couple of raccoons! Wayne breathed a sigh of relief and quietly laughed as the raccoons scampered away. His fear magnified the sound of raccoons into the sound of bears in the night.
Doubt and fear can really affect how you perceive things. Difficulties that may seem impossible to someone who is afraid of the worst that could happen will not seem so insurmountable to someone who puts his faith and trust in God.
- Recommended reading: Matthew 14:26-31
