When Danger Lurks

A huge turkey buzzard roosted on a tree top. He spread out his wings and fluffed his feathers, a signal to his friends. Soon four buzzards hung out in the trees.

A deadly silence settled over the woods. Birds no longer tweeted or sang. No squirrels scampered through the trees. Rabbits and mice hid in their holes. Even the neighborhood cats vanished. They all sensed danger nearby.

What should we do when danger lurks? If we want to stay out of trouble, we need to recognize the various kinds of danger.

Pride If everything is going well, look out! Pride rears its ugly head when we least expect it. It comes in sneaky forms, but it always comes before the fall.

Gossip A juicy story is whispered in your ear. Your natural curiosity is peaked. A form of gossip can also be disguised as a prayer request. Avoid getting caught in this deadly trap.

Fear You want to do the right thing, but fear of consequences binds you. You are paralyzed because your heart lacks courage.

Anger Careless actions and words said in anger cause friction. Relationships can fracture in a foolish moment. Restoring them can be difficult.

Bitterness This is the root cause of many problems. Be careful to stamp it out before it spreads. As the Bible warns, it will defile many. It will eat away at you and poison those around you.

Apathy You have the spiritual blahs. An appetite for the things of God fades. Your life will suffer until you recognize the cause and find restoration.

Flee trouble. Although dangers are all around us, they don’t have to drag us down. We can avoid them if we are alert.

We can follow the warning in I Peter 5:8. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about seeking whom he may devour.”

Do what the animals do. When danger lurks, run the other way.