Eaten Up By Circumstances


by Melody Sheppard


Recently, I read a US Government guideline for Peace Corps volunteers stationed in the Amazon. It seems that a person who is unfortunate enough to be attacked by an anaconda has the best chance of survival by not running. Instead, the volunteer is to remain still, because the snake is faster. The volunteer is encouraged to remain motionless while the snake begins to ingest his body. When the anaconda has swallowed him up to the knees, the person should reach slowly and carefully towards his knife. By slashing quickly into the snake’s mouth and slicing out the side, the snake’s head will be severed.

I don’t know about you, but I would find it hard to lie perfectly still while a large snake is eating me! My natural survival instinct tells me to kick, scream, run! As we were discussing this "prescribed" plan at dinner (yes, being eaten by a snake makes great dinner conversation!), we couldn’t help being struck by the tremendous self-control that would have to be exhibited by a person to lie patiently while this horrific act took place. Later, while doing dishes, my thoughts returned to the hungry anaconda. I was puzzled at the thought of a person doing nothing when such a crisis hit. Could I simply do nothing? It was then I realized that exhibiting such self-control is not an excuse to simply do nothing in life; i.e., to sit back and wait for God to bail me out; but it is a lesson to "wait on the Lord." Just as the Peace Corps volunteer was told to wait before acting at the right moment, waiting requires me to think about my reaction before reacting so that I can consciously choose God’s way in a situation. "In all your ways acknowledge [Me], and [I] will direct your paths." (Proverbs 3:6) God’s direction is clear: I recognize that His way is best, and then He will show me how to react.

As I think about my reactions to possible scenarios I might face each day, I can’t help but conclude that exhibiting this kind of self control is more than mere action. It is making pre-determined decisions as to what course will be followed in any given situation. When my day is not going as planned, as so often happens, I can exhibit self-control by having already determined that I will practice flexibility, patience, and understanding towards the people and situations around me. Of course, I have found that I cannot muster this kind of power myself. My power is from God, who freely gives to those who humbly ask.

People are not always going to behave the way I want. Situations are not always going to be resolved to my benefit,. How I handle these situations – from the smallest infractions to the world changing events - reflects my relationship with God. Will I be a person who reacts hysterically, kicking and screaming when an "inconvenience" comes my way? Or will I be a person who has determined that with God’s help I will be controlled and measure the situation through God’s frame of reference? Kicking and screaming may sound like the best course, to my natural man, but I am not to act in the natural man. In Isaiah 55:8, God says, "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways."

While these Peace Corps guidelines were printed in their newsletter as a joke, I can still learn a principle from this amusing tale (pun intended). By following God’s guidelines for His humble servants, who are about to be swallowed by an intimidating adversary, I am learning to wait means to trust - a trust that will guide my way when circumstances seem incomprehensible. Proverbs 3:7 goes on to say, "Be not wise in your own eyes (humility); reverently fear the Lord (self control) and turn from evil. (action). It shall be health to your body (which includes nerves, mind, and heart) and nourishment to your bones." As I take up my knife – the sword of the Spirit – to sever the head of an internal nemesis in my life, I am assured of a peace of mind that surpasses all understanding – even when I am being "eaten up" by circumstances beyond my control.


Christian Home Educators of West Virginia
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