God in Bear Country by Jerome

 

I want to share a story with you that has been speaking to me.

I was out archery hunting with my son Joseph in the wilderness. We stayed out in the mountains overnight.

I knew we were in bear country.

We had been seeing a lot of bear sign earlier that day because of the abundance of huckleberries still on the bushes.

I was struck by how vulnerable I felt out there with nothing to put around us and make me feel more secure and protected.

I expressed this to Joseph. He said: “yeah, I feel that way a little, but as much.”

“Why not?’ I asked him.

“I have you,” he replied.

Immediately, I could hear the Lord speaking to me: “you have Me!”

I’ve struggled in life with knowing/believing that.

Is God really for me, not against me?

That unanswered question has caused anxiousness, fear, unbelief, and so much more.

I knew we were in bear country.

We had been seeing a lot of bear sign earlier that day because of the abundance of huckleberries still on the bushes.

I was struck by how vulnerable I felt out there with nothing to put around us and make me feel more secure and protected.

I expressed this to Joseph. He said: “yeah, I feel that way a little, but as much.”

“Why not?’ I asked him.

“I have you,” he replied.

Immediately, I could hear the Lord speaking to me: “you have Me!”

I’ve struggled in life with knowing/believing that.

Is God really for me, not against me?

That unanswered question has caused anxiousness, fear, unbelief, and so much more.

All of the sudden, there were bears everywhere!

The initial grizzly bear re-emerged about 40 yards away. Only this time, it had it’s brother with him. I’m guessing they were close to 2-year-olds.

Then, even closer by, Momma Bear came out!

Joseph and I immediately began to let them know we were there.

Slowly, we started to back away.

As soon as she heard us, she turned toward us and stood up.

She was very agitated and began popping her teeth together as she stood there.

As soon as the younger bears heard and saw us, the went running in separate directions.

Crashing and breaking branches, and a momma bear ready to attack!

With a final warning pop of her teeth, she went down on all fours. As she went off to hunt in a different direction, we both breathed a sigh of relief.

We are very blessed that she thought it more important to stay with her cubs.

Also, leaving us to wonder about our coming evening as she was between us and our camp.

We left at the end of the day. We were grateful they didn’t get into our camp.

Throughout the encounter, however, the peace God had given me the night before remained.

It was an exercise in examining our hearts, asking: Did God direct us in being there? If so, then He is for me!

I desire to receive that today and forever. Never to feel the grip of fear and torment of insecurity again!