I find myself in a quagmire. (always wanted to use that word. It means an area of soft, wet ground that you sink into if you try to walk on it. It also means a difficult and dangerous situation.) Quagmire. I know what to do, yet I do what I don’t want to do.

My goal, I know, is to hit the bullseye 50 yards away. I know how my old timer 50 caliber muzzleloader shoots. Even though it lacks the superior firepower of modern day guns, its accuracy of placing a lead bullet into the target 50 yards away is exceptional. The sound of a “pop” comes when the rabbit ear hammer hits the percussion cap. A thunderous “BOOM” followed this as the spark from the percussion cap ignites the 90 grains of black powder. The explosion inside the heavy metal gun barrel propels the bullet to its intended target (along with a sizable cloud of smoke).

 I know I only need to aim the gun, holding steady on the target so the bullet hits its mark. I know to hold steady. I know I should gently squeeze, and not harshly pull, the trigger to preserve the accuracy of my aim. I know what I want to do for a bullseye.

I know what I want to do, yet I do what I don’t want to do. I FLINCH!

 Watch this 10 second video of me flinching as the gun fires, (Then, come back to read my excuse for why I flinch). I am an experienced black powder hunter, yet I flinch. I know not to do it, yet I do it! It causes me to miss.

My excuse?…… Something inside of me senses the percussion cap explode right in my face a split second before the gun bellows out a bullet headed for the target. The fear of the gun’s recoil/the kick, the loud noise, even the fear of me missing, causes me to flinch. My profound confession to all of you is this. The fear of missing the shot makes me miss!

Paul writes in Romans 7 that he knows to do the right thing, but still continues to do the wrong. That’s got to be a miserable place to be. I’m there, you’ve been there. Even Paul himself tells us he’s been there. He’s miserable.

Paul writes, “So you see how it is: my new life tells me to do right, but the old nature that is still inside me says to do wrong. Oh, what a terrible predicament I am in!” Romans 7:23-25. TLB

But here’s the good news! Keep reading the scripture from Paul. Romans 7 continued says, “Who will free me from my slavery to this deadly lower nature? Thank God! It has been done by Jesus Christ our Lord. He has set me free.”

How do you “flinch” in your Christian walk? Let me share a few examples: Why pray? It won’t do any good. (That’s a flinch.)

 I’m seeking God’s will for my life, but I choose instead to, (flinch)

 I’m as much afraid, (flinch) of God answering my prayer, as I am that He won’t hear my prayer (flinch).

  See? If you and I can be honest, we have way too much fear/doubt/unbelief (flinching) in our relationship with Christ. Our fear/doubt/unbelief (flinching) actually causes us to miss out on God’s promises!

Our heavenly Father has His Power and His Love that He promises to give us. We flinch at every encounter we have with Him. What is so amazing about this awesome God with His power is that He gives to each of us. He doesn’t count our misses. We shouldn’t either. It is because of Him, not me. He grows me day by day to focus on Him (the bullseye) and not on all the distractions (fears, doubts, unbelief, the FLINCHING)

He will even help with your flinching. Just pray to Him!

Lord, help me use this power for Your Glory. And Lord, help me with my fears, doubts, unbeliefs (flinching). I want to be solid. Bullseye!

What makes you flinch?  Share with me and others.  Leave a comment below.