Bear Hunts and Obstacles
There’s a children’s book called “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt” that leads a family through woods, grass, a river, a snowstorm, and a cave on their way to find the ever elusive bear. As they come upon each obstacle, they realize that they can’t go over it, they can’t go under it, and ultimately decide that the best course of action is to just hunker down and go right on through it.
Now, the pragmatist in me wonders why they don’t just go around these things or why on Earth these parents are bringing their kids out in snowstorms without a winter jacket or through mud without galoshes – but none if that is either here or there.
Anyways. I digress.
While children enjoy reading this book and all the splishing-sploshing and swishing-swashing that goes along with it, what’s most striking about this book is that it is also delivering a truth about life: often the best way to tackle an obstacle is to put your head down and go right through it.
What if you don’t have the right outerwear for the storms? What if you lose your sneaker in the mud? What if you come face to face with a bear in the cave?
We all face obstacles in life, there’s no question about that. The question is, however, what we will do about them. Will we try to find a way to dodge the obstacle, to reach our goals the easy way even if an easy way is not present? Or will we button up our gear, hold our heads up high, and trudge – up the mountain, through the storm, through the waters of raging rivers?
Does the prospect of facing obstacles fill you with fear? “For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, ‘Do not fear; I will help you.” (Isaiah 41:13)
Are you anxious when you think about what it takes to put mounds of effort into overcoming an obstacle? “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7)
Do you thrive on adversity and welcome challenges, knowing that God will be with you and the rewards that come from pushing through? “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:12-13)
What about when your journey brings you to a crossroads, and you don’t know what steps to take next? “Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” (Proverbs 3:6)
When Moses died and Joshua was left in charge of the Israelites, God spoke to Joshua and assured him that no matter what happened, no matter where they went, no matter what obstacles crossed their paths – God promised that He would be there for Joshua. He tells Joshua twice to “be strong and courageous” while giving him instructions and then finally God stresses to Joshua the importance of this by saying “This is my command – be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:1-9)
And so, as we head out on our own bear hunts – whatever they are – and as we trudge through our own mud and swish through our own long grass patches and push through raging rivers and come face to face with bears in caves, we must remember this. We must never EVER forget that no matter what our obstacles are, God is with us. When we seek His will, when we let him hold our hands, when we cast our worries upon him and trust that with Him we can get through anything – we will.
You will.