Lately, I've been more acutely aware of my spiritual surroundings. As the Lord shows me when He uses me to help others the enemy can and will send an opposition, a sort of "Stampede" if you will. Let's look at what Wikipedia say's about a Stampede:

"A stampede is uncontrolled concerted running as an act of mass impulse among herd animals or a crowd of people in which the group collectively begins running, often in an attempt to escape a perceived threat. Anything unusual may start a stampede among cattle. Especially at night, things such as lighting a match, someone jumping off a horse, a horse shaking itself, a lightning strike, a tumbleweed blown into the herd, or "a horse running through a herd kicking at a saddle which has turned under its belly" have been known to cause stampedes.[2]A large stampede typically eliminates everything in its path. With livestock, cowboys attempt to turn the moving herd into itself, so that it runs in circles rather than running off a cliff or into a river and avoids damaging human life or property. Tactics used to make the herd turn into itself include firing a pistol, which creates noise to make the leaders of the stampede turn.[2]Animals that stampede, especially cattle, are less likely to do so after having eaten and spread out in smaller groups to digest.[2] To further reduce the risk of stampedes, cowboys sometimes sing or whistle to calm the herds disquieted by nightfall. Those on watch at night avoid doing things which could startle the herd and even distance themselves before dismounting a horse or lighting a match.[3]Sometimes people purposefully induce cattle to stampede as a component of warfare or hunting, such as some Native Americans, who were known to cause American bison to kill themselves at a buffalo jump.Human stampedes and crushes[edit]Crushes often occur during religious pilgrimages[4] and large entertainment events, as they tend to involve dense crowds, with people closely surrounded on all sides. Human stampedes and crushes also occur in episodes of panic (e.g. in response to a fire or explosion) as people try to get away.[5]Stampedes[edit]According to experts, true "stampedes" (and "panics") rarely occur except when many people are fleeing in fear, such as from a fire,[6] and trampling by people in such "stampede" conditions rarely causes fatal injuries."[7]

Day by day, our lives as believers get more and more difficult in circumstances, afflictions, and relationships because of whom we serve. The Bible is clear about this. This doesn't have to be shocking, we can be trained to react to the Stampedes that come across our minds, our lives, as they come, one by one.

During the Wild West era pioneers would only survive if they were trained to react appropriately during a stampede. It would happen suddenly, without warning. The same can happen to us in our thoughts, circumstances and relationships. I continually marvel at how quickly I personally can be lead away by a Stampede in my mind, but am becoming more and more aware of how and when it happens.

If you can relate, ask yourself what was happening or what were you thinking about just before a Stampede that came your way, then you may be able to see what set it off as Wikipedia explains. Example, maybe you had a conversation with a loved one that sent you down a spiral of negative thoughts and before you knew it, you started to believe a lie, such as "He doesn't love me, he is selfish and only thinks of himself, he isn't really a believer." Or maybe you just begin thinking negatively about your circumstances and your relationships, not realizing God is engineering everything in your life. This seems to happen often at night, or when we're alone. Whatever it is, how you react is vital to your possession of the inheritance God gives us as His children, part of that is Peace in the here and now.

Our difficult thoughts, circumstances and relationships can destroy us if not dealt with immediately. If we just go on without taking action it could leave us completely defeated. Like the cowboy, we can turn the Stampede into itself by recognizing quickly the reality of the situation and taking proper action. Being aware is half the battle, taking authority and receiving God's Peace and His Promises in His Word is the other half of the battle. Remember, Declare your SOUL TO BELIEVE and your ENEMY TO LEAVE.

On a journey of healing and hope with you,

Terri Lynne