There he is AGAIN – the rogue bear that hogs the bird feeders. He came by a few weeks ago, and we had to take down the feeders for a few days so he’d move on. He did, so we put the feeders back up.

Less than a week later, he’s baaaack!

OK, buddy, you’ve met your match. I opened the front door and waved my arms at him, yelling “Get outta here!”

He glanced over at me, “yeah, right, lady”, and kept right on eating.

Then I walked out on the front porch wielding an all-powerful umbrella, banged it on the front rails, waved it at him, and yelled again. This time he turned and moseyed across the road, then sat down and looked back at me. We had the proverbial stare down as I went out to get the bird feeders. I kept my eye on him as I walked back to the house. He slowly started back across the street. He was not giving up!

Well neither was I! I went back inside, grabbed my dad’s walking stick, then back out onto the porch. (Yes, I am stubborn, this bear was NOT going to win!)

“GET OUTTA HERE, GO, GO, GO, GO.” As I yelled I moved toward him, wildly waving that walking stick way over my head.

SUDDENLY he turned and ran – bolted across the street and down through the woods as though he’d seen a ghost, so to speak. I heard that if a bear thinks you’re bigger than him he’ll run from you. But wow, that was amazing! What did he see that caused that much fear?

It was ME refusing to give up, refusing to back down, and resolutely defending my territory. With that stick and all the yelling, I made myself bigger than the bear…at least in his eyes. And that’s all that mattered.

Pondering my encounter, I realize I often act like the bear, giving in to defeat (self-pity, apathy, fear) when I face challenges, obstacles, and hard times coming at me.

Why? Because I don’t rise up, I turn and run. I make the problem – the bear – bigger than the Problem Solver – Jesus!

Yes, as Christians our unbeatable champion is Jesus! With the victory He won on Calvary over 2000 years ago, we can raise up His banner and defeat any enemy in our path…IF we don’t back down. 

Where do you need victory today? Lose a job? Hurt by a friend? Hard day at work? Health issues? Family problems? Or simply worn out by life?

Rise up by the power of the Holy Spirit, lift up the name of Jesus, and stand your ground. Meditate on His love, His truth, His mercy. Magnify Him, worship Him. Advance forward, don’t give up.

Yep, bigger than the bear we are, in Jesus. Amen!