The Mountain Lion Attack - Terror By Night

It was after midnight when my husband, Clayton, opened the sliding glass door to let our cat outside. He noticed a pair of eyes illuminated by the porch light and stepped onto the deck to get a closer look across the 100-foot yard. Before he took the second step, a large mountain lion lunged toward him from across the lawn.

No time to think. No time to turn around. Boldness gripped Clayton as he leaned toward the approaching cougar who was in midair. He could feel that monster’s breath and he shouted, “In the Name…” Without a second’s hesitation, the cougar twisted its body to retreat as his tail brushed Clayton’s face.

When Clayton came back inside, I noticed his hand was shaking. “What happened to you?”

“A mountain lion tried to attack me but God stopped it in mid-air.” My mouth dropped open and I gasped. “How can that happen so fast? You were out there for only a minute!” I had my answer. Of course, God protected him from all harm.

Mountain Lion Attack And God's Promise Of Protection

Clayton said “The verse in Luke 10:19 flashed before my eyes, which says God gives us the power to tread on serpents and scorpions and all the power of the enemy. But I didn’t have time to say anything except ‘in the Name.’” 

He fully grasped the authority we have in Christ. Fear had no legal territory there. When we dare to believe that God’s Word is true, we can stand on it without any doubt. 

“I was attacked by a huge mountain lion last night,” Clayton told the local Conservation Officer the next morning.

“We’re aware that there’s one in this area but haven’t been able to trap it. According to the sightings, he’s the largest local one on record. He has to be around 300 pounds. How close did he get to you?”

Clayton didn’t hesitate. “The cat had already glided over the porch railing and was within inches of my face.”

“And he didn’t attack you?” The officer raised his eyebrows in disbelief.

“I could feel his breath on my face as he did a 180 and ran away.” Clayton was reliving the moment.

“We keep a leather dog collar hanging on a hook by our door. I found it in our yard this morning and noticed it had been chewed. This cougar must have been starving.”

“Well, my friend, you have witnessed a miracle. This creature is out for blood. He’s hungry and ruthless. You’re one lucky man.”

Lucky? I don’t think so. Luck had nothing to do with it. Understanding and knowing how to apply God’s promise of protection was evident.

With God, There Is Nothing To Fear

A few days later, with a slight chuckle in his voice, the officer confirmed they had captured the lion and transported him many miles away.

“In my years on the force, I have never heard of a cougar retreating. He is the largest mountain lion on record and I can’t believe he didn’t have you for lunch.”

No matter what may attempt to attack us, we have nothing to fear. We have a God-given authority over any assault. That authority promises us “Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.” - I John 4:4 

The definition of authority is the power or right to give orders, make decisions and enforce obedience. That lion had no option but to obey Clayton. God had given Clayton authority when he chose to believe he had it.

If we allow it, fear can be a controlling factor in our lives. Franklin D. Roosevelt said, “There is nothing to fear but fear itself.”

He went on to say: “Fear is a nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.” The absence of fear makes us advance, not to run in terror.

When doubt tries to steal the promise, we have the authority to use scripture -- our greatest weapon against doubt or fear. 

Fear Robs, Peace Empowers

If asked this question, how would you answer? “Do you honestly believe God would protect you if a lion attacked you?”

Thinking about that scenario may cause you to shudder but understanding the promise God gives us is our defense. There is a multitude of scriptures assuring us we have nothing to fear. Meditating on these by ingraining them into our psyche will give us the strength and boldness we need when faced with a roaring lion. Then we will have the foundation to draw from when we need it.

It is our natural instinct to imagine the worst. The ‘what ifs’ can bring worry that has no real foundation. But if we consistently replace those thoughts with the promise of protection, soundness of mind, and the power given to us through Christ, those thoughts will dissipate as promised in II Timothy 1:7.

That power God has given us applies not only to danger, or crisis but to a medical diagnosis that could bring us to fear.

Receiving the diagnosis of terminal cancer when I was a young woman could have destroyed my world. Instead, I stood up, faced it head-on, and told the doctor God’s truth, “I will walk in here pregnant one day.”

Did I have confirmation of that? Did I have access to future events? A resounding “No.” What I did have was God’s promise which cannot lie. My faith responded – not my fear. How He chose to work out the details was not my concern. God’s facts overrule man’s reports. 

Fear robs us. Peace empowers us.

Fear Destroys - The Truth Of God's Word Restores

Fear is a robber of rational thoughts. But we have a weapon of mass destruction when we use the Word against negativity in our thought realm.

The only weapon Jesus used in the wilderness to defeat the devil was the Word of God. “But He answered and said, it is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” - Matthew 4:4 

Clayton had the Word in his heart. He knew he had nothing to fear when he approached that lion. That beast needed to fear Clayton and he did as he ran away defeated.

Jesus understood His authority. He knew that when He spoke the Word, it would come to pass. We have been given that same authority.

It is not a matter of memorizing scriptures. It is understanding that God’s Word is true. He cannot lie. Our job is to believe that. When we grip the truth, we can rest in it.