You’ve all heard the saying, “push comes to shove.” The last time I heard it was in a song and it triggered something in me to preach about the actions we are already using and can put to work with the Scriptures, as believers. For example, when you’re pushed, shove back (hard).

Pushing is moving something, exerting the necessary energy to place it at or in our desired direction. Mike took self-defense training in school as a youngster, and he told me that they were trained to not resist but to pull an opponent toward themselves as they pushed them, then throw and shove them as far as they could away. Cool, huh? This is not the normal reaction, but an intelligent, foolproof way to handle negative pushing and possible danger to you. Don’t try this at home!

Good pushing examples include:

• Swings — It’s fun to pushchildren or anyone on a swing. Some like going higher and higher, so you would need to push harder.
• Ourselves — at times, we need to keep motivated andpushforward in our work and service.
• Politicians — as voters and letter writers, we can “nudge” our politicians and pushfor justice and peace for all, an amazing American right.
• Helping the handicapped — Some need a hand pushinga wheelchair or pushinga door open.

So, we have some examples, and I’m sure you can think of more in your life. I have two scriptures to share either for your enlightenment or refreshing:

• Resist the devil — James 4:7: “Submit yourselves to God, resist the devil and he will flee.” I personally use the Name of Jesus to cement this, and by submitting or giving I trust God to make it happen, amen.
• God leads — 2 Corinthians 2:14: “Thanks be to God Who always leads us, in triumph, in Christ.”

So, be lead by God and don’t be pushed around except for good ways and shove that devil out and away with these scriptures and prayer, amen!