🦬 The Bison’s Bold Choice: Charging into the Storm of Life with Christ
When the tempest rages on the vast plains, most creatures instinctually turn tail and flee. Cattle, for instance, will often run with the storm, prolonging their exposure to the biting wind, driving snow, and relentless cold. But observe the majestic American Bison, and you witness a different, more profound strategy. As the dark clouds gather and the winds howl, the bison doesn’t run away; it turns and charges directly into the storm.
This isn’t an act of foolishness, but one of profound wisdom and survival. By confronting the storm head-on, the bison moves through its intensity as quickly as possible, emerging sooner into the calm on the other side. Its thick hide, powerful build, and sheer determination allow it to push through, minimizing the time spent in the harshest conditions.
The Bison’s Wisdom: A Metaphor for the Christian Life
This powerful image offers a striking metaphor for the Christian walk. In our journey of faith, storms are inevitable. These can manifest as:
- Trials and Tribulations: Health crises, financial hardships, relational conflicts.
- Spiritual Attacks: Doubts, temptations, feelings of despair.
- Persecution: Opposition or ridicule for our beliefs.
- Personal Sins or Struggles: Habits and strongholds that hinder our walk with Christ.
Our natural inclination, much like the cattle, is often to avoid, deflect, or flee from these storms. We might try to ignore problems, distract ourselves, or even question our faith when faced with severe challenges. Yet, the biblical narrative and the example of the bison invite us to a different, more courageous path: to charge into the storm with Christ.
Why Charge into the Storm?
- Minimizing Exposure and Hastening Breakthrough: Just as the bison reduces its time in the storm by going through it, confronting our spiritual and personal challenges head-on, in the power of Christ, allows us to pass through them more quickly. Avoiding a problem rarely makes it disappear; more often, it prolongs the agony. By facing our sins through repentance, our doubts through prayer and study, or our trials through faith and perseverance, we expedite the process of breakthrough and healing.
- James 1:2-4 (KJV): “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”
- Developing Spiritual Strength and Resilience: The bison’s powerful shoulders and thick coat are built for enduring the storm. Similarly, our spiritual “muscle” and “fortitude” are developed not in comfort, but in conflict. When we lean into Christ during difficult times, we discover depths of His grace, strength, and faithfulness we never knew existed. Each storm navigated in faith builds our character, deepens our roots, and prepares us for future challenges.
- Romans 5:3-5 (KJV): “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”
- Christ as Our Unwavering Head and Strength: The bison’s strength lies in its natural design. Our strength, as Christians, lies in Christ who is our Head and our unwavering source of power. When we charge into the storm, we don’t do so in our own limited ability, but with Him. He is our shelter, our guide, and our protector. He has already overcome the world and its storms (John 16:33).
- Philippians 4:13 (KJV): “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
- Isaiah 41:10 (KJV): “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”
Practical Steps for Charging into Your Storm
- Acknowledge the Storm: Don’t deny or minimize the challenge you’re facing.
- Turn Towards Christ: Make prayer your first response, not your last resort. Confess any sin, express your fears, and ask for His guidance and strength.
- Engage with Scripture: Find promises and wisdom in God’s Word that speak to your specific trial. Let it be the lamp to your feet and the light to your path.
- Seek Godly Counsel: Don’t isolate yourself. Share your struggles with trusted Christian friends, mentors, or pastors who can offer support and prayer.
- Take Action in Faith: Sometimes charging into the storm means taking difficult steps of obedience, forgiveness, or perseverance, even when you don’t feel like it.
Just as the bison, with its mighty resolve, presses forward against the relentless wind and snow, so too are we called to press into the storms of life with the unwavering strength and presence of Christ. It is in this courageous charge that we find not only survival, but deeper faith, richer character, and the peace of knowing we are fully upheld by our Almighty God.