THREE ANGELS BROADCASTING NETWORK DEVOTIONAL.
Squirrel Syndrome.
By Donald Owen II
April 15th, 2026
While traveling to work, an excited little squirrel nervously darted out onto the road in front of me. He bounced across the lane, then suddenly realized my car was approaching. I saw his look of confusion and fear as he struggled to decide whether to finish his journey or run back to safety. And despite my efforts to avoid him, his choice came too late.
I felt saddened by what happened, then began to wonder how many of us have found ourselves in that dilemma—something huge comes at us, paralyzing our hearts with fear.
I can really relate to that little squirrel, because when it comes to making big decisions, I get Squirrel Syndrome, too. And surely, I’m not alone. When faced with a tough decision, our minds become foggy as we struggle to make the right choice quickly.
The Bible talks about the things that paralyze us with Squirrel Syndrome:
Hesitation – read about it in James 1:8
Fear – find it in 1 John 4:18
Worry – diagnosed in Luke 12:28
It can even lead to Death described in Romans 6:23
Squirrels—and the rest of us—are not the only ones who face life-threatening decisions. Our Savior, Jesus Christ, faced one as He neared the end of His ministry. Our lives hung on His decision there in the Garden of Gethsemane—as well as every living thing on our planet.
Mark 14:34–36 opens the scene with Jesus and His three closest disciples going out into the night to pray. In order to save our lost world, Jesus had to agonize over drinking from the bitter cup of God’s wrath. As He talked with His Father, He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.”
Jesus left the ultimate decision up to His Father. But what would have happened if He had allowed fear to paralyze Him? What would this world be like, today?
How many of us agonize over decisions because the problem seems too scary to face? There is only one prescription for that—we must place our decisions in the care of the ultimate decision-maker, Jesus Christ. He knows our needs better than we know ourselves, and the prayer He uttered to His Father is the perfect example.
A wise woman once wrote a powerful little prayer I like to pray in the morning that says, “Take me, O Lord, as wholly Thine. I lay all my plans at Thy feet. Use me today in Thy service. Abide with me, and let all my work be wrought in Thee.”[1]
[1] Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ p. 70.
Squirrel Syndrome.
By Donald Owen II
April 15th, 2026
While traveling to work, an excited little squirrel nervously darted out onto the road in front of me. He bounced across the lane, then suddenly realized my car was approaching. I saw his look of confusion and fear as he struggled to decide whether to finish his journey or run back to safety. And despite my efforts to avoid him, his choice came too late.
I felt saddened by what happened, then began to wonder how many of us have found ourselves in that dilemma—something huge comes at us, paralyzing our hearts with fear.
I can really relate to that little squirrel, because when it comes to making big decisions, I get Squirrel Syndrome, too. And surely, I’m not alone. When faced with a tough decision, our minds become foggy as we struggle to make the right choice quickly.
The Bible talks about the things that paralyze us with Squirrel Syndrome:
Hesitation – read about it in James 1:8
Fear – find it in 1 John 4:18
Worry – diagnosed in Luke 12:28
It can even lead to Death described in Romans 6:23
Squirrels—and the rest of us—are not the only ones who face life-threatening decisions. Our Savior, Jesus Christ, faced one as He neared the end of His ministry. Our lives hung on His decision there in the Garden of Gethsemane—as well as every living thing on our planet.
Mark 14:34–36 opens the scene with Jesus and His three closest disciples going out into the night to pray. In order to save our lost world, Jesus had to agonize over drinking from the bitter cup of God’s wrath. As He talked with His Father, He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.”
Jesus left the ultimate decision up to His Father. But what would have happened if He had allowed fear to paralyze Him? What would this world be like, today?
How many of us agonize over decisions because the problem seems too scary to face? There is only one prescription for that—we must place our decisions in the care of the ultimate decision-maker, Jesus Christ. He knows our needs better than we know ourselves, and the prayer He uttered to His Father is the perfect example.
A wise woman once wrote a powerful little prayer I like to pray in the morning that says, “Take me, O Lord, as wholly Thine. I lay all my plans at Thy feet. Use me today in Thy service. Abide with me, and let all my work be wrought in Thee.”[1]
[1] Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ p. 70.
THREE ANGELS BROADCASTING NETWORK DEVOTIONAL.
Squirrel Syndrome.
By Donald Owen II
April 15th, 2026
While traveling to work, an excited little squirrel nervously darted out onto the road in front of me. He bounced across the lane, then suddenly realized my car was approaching. I saw his look of confusion and fear as he struggled to decide whether to finish his journey or run back to safety. And despite my efforts to avoid him, his choice came too late.
I felt saddened by what happened, then began to wonder how many of us have found ourselves in that dilemma—something huge comes at us, paralyzing our hearts with fear.
I can really relate to that little squirrel, because when it comes to making big decisions, I get Squirrel Syndrome, too. And surely, I’m not alone. When faced with a tough decision, our minds become foggy as we struggle to make the right choice quickly.
The Bible talks about the things that paralyze us with Squirrel Syndrome:
Hesitation – read about it in James 1:8
Fear – find it in 1 John 4:18
Worry – diagnosed in Luke 12:28
It can even lead to Death described in Romans 6:23
Squirrels—and the rest of us—are not the only ones who face life-threatening decisions. Our Savior, Jesus Christ, faced one as He neared the end of His ministry. Our lives hung on His decision there in the Garden of Gethsemane—as well as every living thing on our planet.
Mark 14:34–36 opens the scene with Jesus and His three closest disciples going out into the night to pray. In order to save our lost world, Jesus had to agonize over drinking from the bitter cup of God’s wrath. As He talked with His Father, He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.”
Jesus left the ultimate decision up to His Father. But what would have happened if He had allowed fear to paralyze Him? What would this world be like, today?
How many of us agonize over decisions because the problem seems too scary to face? There is only one prescription for that—we must place our decisions in the care of the ultimate decision-maker, Jesus Christ. He knows our needs better than we know ourselves, and the prayer He uttered to His Father is the perfect example.
A wise woman once wrote a powerful little prayer I like to pray in the morning that says, “Take me, O Lord, as wholly Thine. I lay all my plans at Thy feet. Use me today in Thy service. Abide with me, and let all my work be wrought in Thee.”[1]
[1] Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ p. 70.
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