When I was 16 years old, my twin sister Kaysie and I went horse camping in Utah. As we were heading out, my dad suggested we take a shotgun with us, just in case. We didn’t know then how important that advice would become. When we arrived at the road leading to our campsite, a truck was blocking the way. After we yelled for a while, a man came out and moved his truck so we could pass. Later that night, Kaysie and I went to bed early because we were supposed to wake up at 4 am, saddle our horses, and ride to another camp to help Jack deliver salt to the cattle.
Around 2 am, our dog started barking. The man who had moved his truck earlier had returned. He was extremely drunk and was yelling vulgar things at us, rattling the camper door and shaking the truck, trying to get us to come outside. He didn’t know it, but I had already gotten the shotgun. Finally, I yelled at him to get off our grandfather’s property. Thankfully, he eventually left and never came back. Kaysie and I were scared, but we decided we weren’t going to leave. This was our grandfather’s property, and we were determined to stay. Looking back on that frightening night, I’m so thankful we were protected. God was with us, and He gave us the strength and courage we needed.
Maybe you’re going through a difficult season right now. Hopefully, your situation isn’t quite as dramatic as the one I experienced at 16! But whatever you’re facing, I want to remind you that you don’t have to face it alone. God is your strength and your protector. As Psalm 118 reminds you, the Lord is with you. When life feels scary, uncertain, or overwhelming, remember where your strength comes from.
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“They swarmed around me like bees; they blazed against me like a crackling fire. But I destroyed them all with the authority of the Lord. My enemies did their best to kill me, but the Lord rescued me. The Lord is my strength and my song; he has given me victory. Songs of joy and victory are sung in the camp of the godly. The strong right arm of the Lord has done glorious things! The strong right arm of the Lord is raised in triumph. The strong right arm of the Lord has done glorious things!” (Psalm 118:12-16)