Recently, I had the “opportunity” to experience a high ropes course. This was not my first chance and I would describe myself as a wild card, I never know exactly how I will respond. I have cried, frozen and gone as fast as I could with hope the fear wouldn’t catch up. What would today bring?
As I quickly climbed up to the telephone pole hanging horizontally thirty feet above ground I thought I would try the fast pace again trying to beat the fear. Unfortunately I hesitated as I stepped onto the log and froze. I really wanted to quit. The voice in my head was screaming, yes, screaming, “I can’t!”
Just as I was about to give up a booming voice from below said, “Slide your right foot to the right”. I obeyed. “Now your left foot a little to the right” the voice continued. I stalled but then I did it. The voice kept coaching me one step at a time. As I focused on the voice I could take the next step, the “I can’t” was drowned out by what I had to do next.
Several times I wobbled sooo scary, I wanted to quit, but the voice encouraged me to keep going. Since I didn’t fall, I kept going.
I made it! I hugged the beam on the opposite end. Although I wanted to stay in the embrace of that log forever I had to step away from it and descend in order to make it back to the world I love thirty feet below. Again the voice told me what to do. As soon as I jumped and the rope tightened to let me down I felt a huge relief, I actually enjoyed the ride down.
As I have shared before, a lot of the lies Satan throws at me have the theme “I can’t”. This high ropes experience was such an obvious visual of the spiritual battle I need to fight. When the “I can’t” lies start all I need to do is get a louder truth voice to replace the lies. The truth can guide me one step at a time. The truth can help me keep going. The truth will give me victory.
As I focus on the truth, the lies will have to become quieter. The lies may still be there but it depends on where my focus is as what voice appears loudest. Such a clear picture for me to live and fight future lies with.