Snags, Tangles, and Hang-ups Part One: Snags

By The People Pastor Bill Fix

You know what they are. You experience snags, tangles and hang-ups almost every day of your life. They can be scary, alarming and paralyzing. It would be nice if snags did not exist, but they do. So, what is the first thing you do when you discover you are stuck because of a snag? The Apostle Paul experienced them:

⁸ We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹ persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

           2^nd Corinthians 4:8-9 NIV

In my book, The Dead-End Road, I compare early fishing adventures I shared with my Dad, and everyday adult life struggles. One of my favorite chapters in the book is chapter seven, Snags, Tangles, and Hang-ups. I experienced them at the Olentangy River, where Dad and I fished. On the bottom of the river, hidden from sight, were fallen trees, rocks, cans, bottles, and other debris. They caused many snags, tangles, and hang-ups, and as a young boy, I seemed to have the unique ability to find them.

Dad would often help me get set to fish by casting my line into a safe area and telling me not to reel in my line unless I got a bite. It did not take long for me to become tired of just waiting for the fish to bite. Disobeying what dad had told me, I slowly began to reel in my line, and soon I could not reel anymore. I was snagged because of my disobedience.

At first, I tried to hide my disobedience, and I remained stuck not enjoying my time fishing with dad. I could remain snagged or go to my father and tell him what happened. I do not understand why this was such a tough decision, but it was. I guess I was afraid he would get angry. I was at fault for my disobedience, and my ignorance was not going to the one person that could help me. Unconfessed disobedience and hiding the snag prevented progress.

The Apostle Paul wrote:

⁶Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and               petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God, ⁷ and the peace                        of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts                                     and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 NIV

We can get very uptight and anxious about the snags of life. A key principle is to respond to our snags in a Christ-like way. Jesus, the Christ, always went to His Father for guidance. We too, have that wonderful opportunity to seek guidance from our heavenly Father and we should.

When I was a little boy snagged on something in the Olentangy River, my dad helped me get unsnagged. As an adult, my loving heavenly Father helps me through any snag I experience on earth. I believe God favors those who seek him out during the snags of life.

Always, seek Him.