The fear-factor remained, however! ~ Only the combination of prayer and comfort calmed her fear. Then, something interesting happened, and it holds great lessons for all of us...
About an hour later, when I once again asked her how she was doing, she said she was feeling dizzy and sick! I was alarmed as well as surprised, because up until then she had been completely symptom free. When I asked her what was going on she said that she had been on the Internet doing research about what to watch for when stung by a Scorpion.
I did not want to discount what she was feeling. However, I know that we usually find what we look for! So, hoping to reassure her, I shared that it was possible that the information she had been reading may have triggered doubt and fear. Sure enough, about five minutes later she reported that she was fine. She also acknowledged that her ‘research’ had “messed with” her imagination! She left for school and had no adverse effects!
The incident left me thinking about F.E.A.R… an acronym explaining fear as False Evidence Appearing Real. Typically, I need to remember that my fear is most likely only a story I ‘have made up’ in my mind about something bad happening. In all honesty; that was the case this morning as well, since I HATE Scorpions! -- (I still accepted my friend's offer to use his picture of exactly what I can't (!) stand, since it reinforces my emphasis in this post :-)
I had to intentionally choose faith over fear. And fortunately, since "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” - it was easier than on other occasions, because just this week I had been meditating on God’s Promises regarding His Divine Protection.
Also, it reminded me of the time when a leader asked Jesus to heal his daughter who was dying. He had complete faith that Jesus’ touch would heal her. But then, in Mark 5:35, we read how people from this man’s house created fear by their words… While he was still speaking, some people came from the synagogue leader's home and said, "Your daughter is dead. Why bother the Teacher anymore?" But when Jesus heard what they said, he told the synagogue leader, "Stop being afraid! Just keep on believing."
My hope in sharing this story is to remind you to continually be careful about what and who you listen to. Choose to Walk in Faith instead of Fear!
Once again, please feel free to comment below, to share with your friends, and also to contact me anytime if you think I can be of special help to you or your loved ones. Until next week, be encouraged, and…"KEEP ON BELIEVING”!
~ Blessings from, Deb
PS! My friend, Mentor and Colleague, Kristen L. Skogrand, took the picture above only a week ago. That particular Scorpion was only "a second & less than 1/2 of an inch" from stinging him in the foot. With its tail up; it was ready to "hit & shoot". ~ Luckily, Kristen looked down at the exact right time, jumped aside, and avoided a repetition of his experience 10 years ago. Back then, he did get stung... ~ This time, he even used his camera to take some close-ups before he had to "handle" what he called an Uninvited Guest. (He smilingly confirms this, however: "I assure you out there that might care about this part too; the fascinating albeit Poisonous Little Trooper... did not suffer!" :-)