Burger King Wants You To Wear Shoes, Babies

If you haven't heard, a mom was kicked out of a Burger King because her six month old baby wasn't wearing shoes.

How would you have reacted? What emotions would have shown?

Last night , our men's Bible study talked about how we react in moments that threaten us or seem to undermine us. Maybe a person cut you off in traffic, a boss asks you to cheat on the numbers, or a teacher puts you in an uncompromising position...

All of us react in a number of different ways. I actually was angry enough, after being forced off the road by a tractor trailer, to chase down the semi and cut it back off one day in the past. It slowed down a whole lot after that, but did I do the right thing?

The problem comes in defining when and where we need to defend ourselves. When are we beyond being right and doing the right thing?

My pastor brought up the following verses as we are beginning a study on the full armor of God:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Ephesians 6:10-13 (NIV)

We have to look at the full picture when faced with difficult situations. Knowing when to fight comes easier when when know where the fight is. People are not the problems - the sin that may be behind their actions is. I say it like that because we may be the guilty one (keep that in mind).

As a Christian, I know how hard the devil works in trying to destroy our view of thinking and keep us from reacting in a more positive manner towards tough moments. The key verse in this passage says, that when the day of evil comes we will be able to stand our ground. The day will come and may come again, but God has promised us the ability to stand.

When I was forced off the road, I could have decided three things:

• quit driving right then and there because it is too dangerous
• calmly resume my drive and hope the driver was repenting for his mistake
• or what I did

Which one would have been the right thing to do?

As for the mother who was forced out of Burger King, well if it had been me, I would never go back and probably avoid all Burger Kings (which I do anyway but only because they like Sonic have stupid commercial promotions and anyone who cares that little about the image of their company really doesn't care about the people they serve................)

Get the point? Knowing when and how to fight our battles will bring a lot more peace than trying to tar and feather those involved with the methods of a demon who wants nothing more than our suffering and death.

The great thing about this passage of Scripture is that it leaves us on a positive note. When we follow God and His ways, we will be able to stand. He believes in us. He empowers us. He is our strength and strong tower. As the Bible says, "I can do all things" but only "through Christ who" decides everyday to "strengthen me".

What are you being strengthen by today? Rest in Jesus. He is waiting.