Sitting Ducks

It hit me about bedtime. The chills, upset stomach, headache, body ache…and I could not get comfortable. My mind would not even rest. I felt like a sitting duck. Imagine. There it is, floating on the water nice and peaceful, and then BANG! What a dirty trick to play on that poor little duck.

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I often felt like a sitting duck whenever I would come under attack by various individuals. The jokes about my personal life, my looks, my size, and the things I was interested in always seemed to be the things that people used to cut me down. The hurtful thing about it all though, was that while they were saying these things, then laughing, if I showed any emotion at all, that got me more attacks and called more names.

We often feel like sitting ducks when these things happen. If we aren’t prepared, the effects can be devastating and the scars can last a lifetime. However, if we put our trust in Jesus and let Him handle the upsets in our lives, we won’t just be sitting in the water of life, unprepared for those setbacks.
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Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. ~Psalm 23:4 NLT


He is with us in everything we do. Whether it is the physical sickness of the flu or the heartbreak of the infidelity of a friend or family member, pain is pain. And Jesus knows all about that. He has been through the most horrifying things on our behalf. He understands. He cares. And more than that, He loves us in spite of it all. He became the sitting duck for all of us!

Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested. ~ Hebrews 2:18 NLT


Life happens. Upsets and sickness happen. But the great thing about it all is we don’t have to endure it alone. We also don’t have to become sitting ducks for the attacks of life. We can be prepared. We can trust Jesus. Let Him show us what to do and how to handle things. He will, if we will just ask Him.


Shelley Wilburn
 

Shelley Wilburn has been writing since the age of twelve. She loves stories and adventures, and often finds herself getting into mischief with any one of her six grandchildren. She has written several articles and devotionals over the years for various newspapers, women's magazines, and newsletters. She has also co-authored devotionals. Shelley began writing full-time in 2012 after being healed of over 40 years of depression and anxiety. Using her love of writing, and wearing mismatched socks, Shelley has developed a unique ministry of encouraging others using biblical truths and stories from her own personal life. When not writing, you can find Shelley and her husband of over 30 years, D.A. zipping down the road in their newest adventure-maker, a bright orange, Mustang convertible Shelley has laughingly dubbed The Pony.

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