The other day Jayden and I were standing outside enjoying the fall afternoon. I looked at the garage floor and there was a large shadow of a spider. After I saw that I had to look for the spider itself. I looked towards the sky and there it was, it looked as if it were floating freely from nowhere.
I pointed out the shadow to Jayden, then showed him the spider. I told him, "look how big that spider's shadow is!" He looked like, yeah, okay. Then I showed him the actual spider. It was incredibly tiny! I don't think it was even the size of a dime! Then he looked like, wow, okay that's quite a bit of a difference. (My son isn't very reactive usually so this little spider encounter was fun.)
Then I told him this is exactly how the enemy plays mind games with us in our troubles, trials and testings. He makes things appear bigger, worse and more scary. When we have Christ, He allows us to see the true reality of it. Compared to Him, its tiny, frail and harmless. Although the spider was real, the size of the shadow was magnificently disproportionate to its reality. This was a visual and very tangible heart check for me and I could see on his face that it was for him too.
We all have giants of sorts that we face and I'm reminded of David. It wasn't the size of the giant that moved him. No, rather it was the goodness and greatness of God! He knew all he needed was in Him!
Whatever it is that you're going through, may our spider encounter remind you too of the enemy's tactics as well as the true perspective we have in Christ. His power. His presence. His goodness! All we need is found in Him. Will you allow the shadows to invoke fret and fear, worry and anxiety or seek the One who is always near?
