Power To Cope
A research experiment involved a lamb that was put in a pen. While feeding, the lamb was given an electric shock. Stressed, it ran around for a few moments. After calming down, it began to feed again. The scientists noticed that the lamb avoided the spot in the pen where the shock occurred.
Soon it was shocked once more. It took off running but avoided the spot in the pen where it got the second shock. The shocks continued and each time the lamb would have a new spot to avoid until, finally, there was nowhere to go but it simply huddled in fear. The lamb was removed from the pen.
Next the experimenters put the lamb’s twin brother into the pen with his mother. After getting shocked, he ran to mother for comfort. In a few minutes he got another shock. Again he ran to mother. Somehow the mother was able to give the lamb a sense of safekeeping in a difficult situation.
The researchers kept up the shocks but the lamb merely twitched a bit and continued feeding. No shattered nerves! Motherly nurture helped him develop endurance and reduced the mental effects of the pain.
This true account has a spiritual lesson. When we trust God, we find power to cope with the shocks of life. The Bible says that we “have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us” (Hebrews 6.18).
God is also presented as a secure anchor in a storm: “This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever” (Hebrews 6.19,20).
If you are throbbing with pain, find relief in the strength and warmth of your loving heavenly Father’s presence. He is able to help.
By Barry Kimbrough
Pastor, Goldold Beach and Brookings Seventh-day Adventist Churches