Benescke Janse van Rensburg

Earlier this month, the 11-year-old Rebecca Munkombwe of Hwange in Zimbabwe jumped on a crocodile's back and pressed her fingers into its eyes to save her friend, the 9-year-old Latoya Muwani. The animal, which was pulling Latoya underwater, let her go and she was rushed to the hospital with minor injuries.

Daily we have to be aware of crocodiles around us – threatening to pull us underwater. That person outside your marriage who gives you butterflies in your stomach, the forbidden deal that looks so attractive, that extra glass of wine daily that you can no longer cope without. At times we see the crocodiles threatening to pull our friends underwater. What is our reaction? Do we stand passively because we do not want to offend anyone? Or do we make our friends aware of the danger?

In Matthew 5:30 we read: " If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.  And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell."

If you know there is a crocodile swimming in your life, but you do not have the courage to remove it, today may be your day.  Break all contact with that person that is causing harm in your marriage, step away from the deal that causes you to lose your integrity or pick up the phone and call the rehabilitation centre if you feel as if you are being submerged by that addiction.

When we are weak, God is strong. Press your fingers like little Rebecca into the crocodile's eyes so it will swim away and no longer disturb you. It might just save your life. God bless.

Father God, thank you for the gift of friends. Help me to fight the crocodiles in my life, but to also be there to help my friends that might find it difficult to do so. I ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

• Photos: See a photo at www.benescke.co.za  or
 o Stories van Hoop page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/storiesvanhoop
 o Stories van Hoop page on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storiesvanhoop

• Feedback: Give feedback on the series at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  You can also share your testimony about something God has done in your life that may be encouraging to other readers at the same address.