In October last year, a group of elephants in the Chobe National Park in Botswana went to quench their thirst at one of the water holes. When one of the adult elephants dipped her trunk in the water, a crocodile suddenly grabbed hold of it with all its strength ...

The elephant, who realized that he had more power than the crocodile, stepped forward onto the crocodile’s head. It did not take long before the weight of the elephant caused the crocodile to release its grip on the trunk and swam away.

In the same way the elephant was caught off guard by the crocodile, obstacles sometimes cross our paths. A crisis at work, discovering that your spouse is unfaithful, the diagnosis of a dreadful disease, a crisis with your child or a report of a robbery or murder (maybe even in your street).

What is your reaction amidst this news? Do you allow fear to overcome you or do you remind yourself that Jesus conquered death and gave us his Holy Spirit to strengthen us to withstand the attacks from the enemy?

Listen again to Jesus’ words in Luke 10:19: “I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.”

Jesus gives us strength to trample on snakes and scorpions, but also crocodiles (in the form of challenges and crises in our lives). Let us therefore ask Him to fill us with his Holy Spirit so we can, with confidence, step forward like the elephant onto the crocodile’s head and wait for it to swim away! Good luck.

Father God, thank You for strengthening me through you Holy Spirit to withstand every obstacle. Help me to realize that no challenge is ever too big for you to overcome. I ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.