Richards heart beat faster as he stared in fear and amazement at the massive lion.  The lion growled,  “Come sit next to me.”   Richard hesitated, “No, I’m afraid.”  The lion smirked, “That’s right, everyone is afraid of me.  But, if you sit next to me you will have my power.”  Richard sat down next to the lion.  In the constant presence of the lion  his fear didn’t diminish, but grew larger and more demanding.  Every time the lion roared, he got it something to eat.  Sometimes in the process the lion took a few fingers or nipped at his toes as well.  He couldn’t leave the lion, his fear held him captive.

While at the market Richard overheard  the town gossip; a Lion Tamer had recently arrived in town.  Richard longed for an escape from the lion who held him captive.  If only he could see him.  But the lion, hearing this as well, commanded the man to chain himself  tightly to the lion.  The lion became increasingly demanding, pacing incessantly and roaring almost constantly.  That evening as the man got up to feed the lion once again he noticed a stranger walking down the street towards them.  The man stopped in front of Richard and the lion.  He looked at the chains that bound Richard tightly to the lion and said, “Do you want me to set you free?”  Richard couldn’t believe it!  The Lion Tamer stood right there in front him.  “Yes”, he shouted.  “Set me free.”  He felt the chains fall from his body and looked down to see his fingers and toes restored to him.  He looked around for the lion, but couldn’t see it anywhere.  He grabbed the Lion Tamer in a big bear hug and turned to walk down the street with Him.  Now that the Lion Tamer had banished the lion he  felt such peace and joy.  He decided to travel with the Lion Tamer throughout the country as his apprentice.

There is a hungry lion that lives within our soul.   What things do we do to quiet the roar of the lion?  What pieces of our lives are being taken by the lion?  What good parts of us are we allowing it to eat up?

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.  2 Timothy 1:7 ESV

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.  Galatians 5:22-23

Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security.  Jeremiah 33:6

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,  Romans 14:17