I’m a rare bird. I’m not afraid of snakes, not really. Could it be that I don’t see them?

The other day this was put to the test. My 6-year-old granddaughter jumped on my lap. “Nana! There is a huge lizard on the carpet.”

Huge lizard? She likes lizards and she usually guides my hand to grab them by the tail (catching them happens to be a common thing in Florida).  But this “huge” lizard might in reality be a snake.

So what does a logical, collected and calm blind Nana do? I grabbed my most effective and best weapon—a broom.

“Quick, honey. Guide Nana to the place you see it and I’ll sweep it away.”

After many diligent but futile efforts of chasing that reptile under the toy box, under the clothes hamper, inside the closet, we gave up.

Not knowing where it would appear next, peace for the day slithered out too.

You’ve been there, haven’t you? Life is going along fine and then suddenly something appears unwanted, unexpected.

And the intruder doesn’t have to be a huge thing—a disaster or a devastating thing. Often it’s simple, subtle discouragement—our book proposal was rejected, again. Our plans for the day failed. Got the bad news we dreaded. Bank account is dwindling. The scale shows a few extra pounds.

And it’s that discouragement that zaps our enthusiasm, drains our optimism, and kills our joy.

How silly it is that being the weak, frail humans we are, we try to sweep it away with the broom of self-pity. But the weapon is ineffective and useless.

We don’t have what it takes, but God does—His promise: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go" (Joshua 1:9).

Father, discouragement seems to come more often these days. So I will count on your promise that you will be with me wherever I go. Should I feel down, sad, or disheartened; I will be strong just because I know you’re with me. No matter what slithers in my day, I’ll not be afraid of snakes of discouragement. I count on you to chase them away. In Jesus’ name, amen.

• What has invaded your life lately?
• How have you fought it?

Janet

Cheering you on to experience life, harvest its lessons, and share their outcome.

www.janetperezeckles.com