Situational Ruffling

A lizard. In the house. On the bed.

I was house-sitting for some friends when I was younger. I must not be all that good at house-sitting, because there he was–a creepy-looking, scaly invader.

How could I have let it happen?

I confess, my initial response was sheer panic. Then for a split second, I found myself thinking about how to save 15% or more on car insurance.

Then, back to panic.

Let me make a statement of personal fact regarding how we (I) group living creatures: a herd of cows, a school of fish, a pack of wolves, a psychotic episode of lizards. My editor hates (really hates) all caps, so I can’t use them here, but please understand that when I tell you the thing was in the house, the all caps is implied.

I also hope you didn’t miss the part where I said he was on the bed.

On. The. BED!

Okay, yes, journalistic integrity out the window (unlike the lizard because he was indeed not out the window), he was on the bed. I went to find something large enough to use to shoo him out the nearest lizard-sized opening, but when I got back, he was gone. And then–so was I. Just kidding, I stayed. But I stayed carrying a bazooka–no, still joking. It was a baseball bat.

I’ll tell you right now, though, I was never—no, no, never—getting in that bed. I had developed a case of Restless Lizard Syndrome. That’s a thing.

(By the way, when there’s a lizard in the house and sleeping is not an option, I highly recommend a bag of Chips Ahoy. And I do mean the entire bag of Chips Ahoy.)

I know what some of you are thinking–God’s creatures and all that. I even agree. Except it’s more challenging to remind myself God created the lizard when I’ve seen a leviathan. On. The. Bed.

Scaling Up the Perspective

Whether we are in the house, on the bed, at work or church, or sitting in the doctor’s office—wherever and whenever there’s a surprise ruffling challenge—we must remind ourselves to agree with the truths of God. When we remember who He is, we’re readier for any and every problem, big or small, scaly or non-scaly. Through His work in us, we’re able to respond in faith and courage.

In Psalm 55, David is in distress. In verse 2, he pleads with God, “Attend to me, and answer me; I am restless in my complaint, and I moan.” Restless Lizard Syndrome to the max. “My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death have fallen upon me. Fear and trembling come upon me, and horror overwhelms me” (v 4-5).

But David ends the chapter testifying, “But I will trust in you” (vs. 23), and, right before that, he charges us: “Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you” (v22).

Past the Panic to the Plan and Purpose

Keeping our eyes on Him and our sights on eternity will change how we see challenges.

Panic may be our first response–God created our bodies and psyches that way–but we don’t have to remain in fearfulness. After allowing ourselves a knee-jerk, we can head straight for His sustaining comfort.

When God spoke of the intimidating leviathan (Job 41), Job responded, “I know that you can do all things and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted” (Job 42:2). The God who indwells us is in control, loves us deeply, and holds our future in His hands. He will sustain us. He has a plan for us—a grand purpose—and nothing will thwart that purpose.

Our Creator is infinitely bigger and mightier than any challenge we will ever face. He’s got this. He’s got you.

His sustaining comfort really is ‘all that and a bag of cookies’–he is all the life-cookies, as a matter of fact. The better we know Him and understand His character—and the more we lean on Him—the better we’re able to handle surprises, even the shocks of hardship, discomfort, and suffering.

Troubles shouldn’t catch us off guard. We need to remember we live in a sin-cursed world. Difficulties happen. We can let a tough situation ruffle us, or we can look to the Lord, trust what He says, and find strength even when we’re in the harshest conditions. Unexpected, challenging situations, even the most difficult hot and fiery kind, do not have to steal our peace and ruffle our feathers.

Even When You Get Up on the Wrong Side of the Lizard

Peter experienced those challenges and trials first-hand, up close and personal-like. But God empowered and inspired Paul to write this encouragement for us, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange was happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed” (1 Peter 4:12-13).

Don’t be surprised.

We should expect those unexpected ruffles and know they can’t touch our souls. And Peter takes it a step further. He encourages us to rejoice. As in, find joy in the challenge. We can know Jesus and His glory even better through it.

Finding joy, singing through the difficult times, it might sound like a Christianese pat response to trials. Say it to your neighbor, and he might stare at you as if you were speaking some spiritual-lizard-alien language. Yet we truly can experience peace and joy as we rest in the presence of Christ and plug into His Word.

So whether we happen upon an unanticipated challenge—or an unexpected leviathan—it doesn’t have to ruffle our feathers. Or our scales.

Rhonda Rhea is an award-winning humor columnist for great magazines such as HomeLife, Leading Hearts, The Pathway, and many more. She is the author of 19 books, including the popular romantic comedies co-authored with her daughter Kaley Rhea, Off-Script & Over-Caffeinated and Turtles in the Road. Rhonda and Kaley have also teamed up with Bridges TV host Monica Schmelter for the Messy to Meaningful books and TV projects. Along with Beth Duewel, Rhonda writes the Fix Her Upper series, and she also co-authored Unruffled: Thriving in Chaos with Edie Melson. She speaks at conferences and events from coast to coast, serves on many boards and committees, and stays busy as a publishing consultant. Rhonda says you can find her living near St. Louis drinking too  much coffee and snort-laughing with her pastor/husband, five grown children, and a growing collection of the most exceptional grandbabies.