In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day

I just finished the book, In the Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day: How to Survive and Thrive When Opportunity Roars by Pastor Mark Batterson. It is an amazing book about how we need to face our fears and the opportunities that come our way. Mark has seven skills that we all need to take to chase after our lions. God has given us dreams, ideas, plans for our lives for His glory, and so many times we allow things, especially fear, to get in the way.

Mark takes the story of Benaiah, who was King David's bodyguard, and he became Commander- in - chief over the army of Israel. It is because he didn't allow stuff to get into his way. The story is in 2 Samuel 23:9, "There was also Benaiah son of Jehoiada, a valian warrior from Kabzeel. He did many heroic deeds, which included killing two of Moah's mightiest warrior. Another time he chased a lion down into a pit. Then, despite the snow and slippery ground, he caught the lion and killed it. Another time, armed only with a club, he killed a great Egyptian warrior who was armed with a spear. Benaiah wrenched the spear from the Egyptian's hand and killed him with it."

We all have lions in our lives that we need to look in the eyes and chase. It may be a dream, an idea, a degree, writing a book, painting a picture, doing something extravagant, but we need to chase after it. The seven skills that all lion chaser must have are:
1. You have to start by trying to comprehend the infiniteness of God so that you can believe.
2. You have to face your fears, or they will hold you back forever.
3. You have to learn to reframe your problems through bible reading, prayer, and worship.
4. Embrace uncertainty by focusing your persepective on God's greatness, and not your problem.
5. You must take risks.
6. Seize opportunities. You can't see opportunities if your not in tune with the Holy Spirit.
7. You have to be able to look foolish.
These seven skills that all lion chasers need. I have many lions in my life that I need to chase, but I need to listen to God's still small voice and see what direction He wants me to take. I challenge you to read this book; you will not be dissapointed.