Run or Fight?
This is my girl–Peaches. She looks big and brave and strong, doesn’t she?
But, although she is big, much of the time she is not brave. Horses are prey animals. In spite of their size, speed, and hefty hooves, horses are, by instinct, frightened of predators. Their first response to fear and danger is to run.
We are aware of predators, too, aren’t we? We have only to turn on the news to hear tragic stories of predators threatening the well-being of society. We’ve been taught to be watchful.
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8
Peaches and her horse friends are always watchful. A stranger, an animal, a windy day, or any unusual occurrence puts them on high alert. What is a horse’s first response to danger?
Peaches runs away…
We have a smaller girl who is also easily frightened and is quite fleet of foot when needed, but her response is sometimes different.
This little Arabian’s response to danger, if I am nearby, is to hide behind me. She trusts me to protect her.
The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him. Nahum 1:7
Of course, I can’t compare myself to the Lord with my limited ability to protect, but my skittish horse looks to me as her caretaker and protector. She trusts me to guard her from danger.
Many days I am blessed as I learn an important lesson from my animals. My nervous horses remind me that we have a variety of responses when the predator threatens our physical, mental, and spiritual safety.
Trust our Lord and Master in all circumstances. He is our protector.
My eyes are ever on the Lord, for only he will release my feet from the snare. Psalm 25:15
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and fortress, my God in whom I trust.” Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from deadly pestilence. Psalm 91:2-3
Our Lord and Father protect us in all circumstances.
Seek help from other believers in times we feel threatened by the predator.
Satan can fill our minds with doubt and fears. Our Christian family will support us in these times of trial. While God is always our first source of strength in times of challenge, godly mentors also help us when our faith is tested.
Look not only to our own interests, but each of us to the interests of others. Philippians 2:4
Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of suffering. 1 Peter 5:9
Stand firm in our faith in our Lord as our Protector.
Unlike my big girl, Peaches, and more like the timid Arabian, we can’t always escape the devil’s schemes by trying to outrun danger. Sometime we must face our fear with the help of our Lord. STAND FIRM in our faith and trust in Him. And, the good news is–the devil will flee!
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 4:7
But, there will be times when we, like my horses, need to run from our predator. When Satan places us in the midst of temptation and danger, our first escape plan may be to run. The question, of course, is, “Where should we run?”
Run to our Lord!
God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. Hebrews 6:18-19a
How about you? What strategies work for you when the predator attacks? By sharing, you help each of us fight the devil’s schemes.
Beautifully Encouraging Katherine. Thank you
Thank you, Geoff. I’m thankful for your encouragement. Aren’t we blessed to worship a God that loves us, protects us, and guides us through those tough times?
Wonderful and insightful words of encouragement, Katherine. I loved the analogy with your beautiful horses! Many blessings, Tammy
Thank you, Tammy. I believe horses are one of God’s most beautiful creations, although he didn’t gift them with brilliance. But, I’m far from perfect, too. Wishing you a blessed day!
I’ve always been drawn to horses for their majestic beauty, and I like the analogy you created here.
Praying or quoting scripture is a first line of attack when I’m tempted.
I’ve loved horses since I was a little girl and feel blessed to be able to have some now. They are truly beautiful (although some aren’t very smart). I agree with you about quoting scripture. Memorizing God’s Word gives us powerful support to fight temptation.
Katherine, I loved the comparison of your beautiful horses’ responses to the way we respond to attacks. The promise in James 4:7 and other Scripture you included are powerful and good reminders. There have been times when I “thought” more than I prayed when attacked and that never ends well. I often read a psalm aloud to remind me of my Protector. Thank you, Katherine, for this wonderful post!
Thank you for your encouragement, Jeannie. The psalms are so beautiful and filled with praise for our Lord. They also express so well our human need for God. Thank you for reminding us of this effective method to protect ourselves from the schemes of the devil.
OMGoodness Ms. Katherine! “Peaches” and her little Arabian sibling are so beautiful and magnificent! Our animals are wonderful teachers aren’t they? Sometimes I wonder if they take on the characteristics of their owners, much the way Christians (hopefully) do. I think of myself often as a “sheepdog”, in that when predators come calling, I am prepared to fight and defend those God has given me care over. My donkeys, kin (cousins) to horses, are very different from your horses. When a predator comes into their pasture (coyotes, the neighbor’s dog, etc.), they go into “sheepdog mode” and attack the predator to defend the herd of cattle. With that said, I wonder how many scars I bear these days because I didn’t have the good sense to flee and let God fight my battles. 🙂 God’s blessings ma’am.
I believe many animals do take on the characteristics of their owners. Dogs especially respond to loving kindness and have a lot of love to give back. Oh! Those donkeys! Now those feisty beasts know how to take on the enemy. They could definitely teach us some lessons. You’ve made a really good point, my friend. I think we all struggle with “letting go and let God.” Thank you for sharing your insight.
Great job here, Katherine.
Thank you, Warren. Wishing you a blessed weekend and much joy in writing!
I love that your horse hides behind you for protection! What a sweet relationship between the two of you, and what a reminder to me that I need to hide in the shelter of my Lord’s wings for my protection! Thank you for the encouraging words, Katherine!
The first time she did it I thought, “What are you doing?” Then I realized that she trusts me to protect her. That puts a burden of responsibility on me. I never considered how much responsibility our Lord takes on when we put our trust in Him.
Thanks so much for the reminders from Scripture that God is there with us when we need to run or fight. And the picture of horses and their needs is perfect. Putting on the armor of God when referencing Ephesians 6 is what helps me when I need to stand firm and fight. Thank you.
Thank you, Deborah. I also find great comfort in the scripture you mention: Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you may take your stand against the devil’s schemes. Ephesians 6:10-11 Thank you for sharing!