“The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them. My eyes are ever on the Lord, for only he will release my feet from the snare.” Psalm 25:14 – 15
Typically, when we think about a snare, we think in terms of a trap that has been set to catch a small animal. It is a way of hunting. Although, in our modern society, many people have never been hunting. We don’t need to hunt. We have grocery stores.
But a snare is more than just a trap used to hunt small game. It can also be used in surgery. In this case it is a small noose that can be used to remove a tumor. Since I am not a doctor or surgeon, that is all I know about that kind of snare.
Snares can also be used to trap someone unawares through trickery. There are many great movie examples that are based on snares. Ocean’s Eleven for one. But my favorite, is “The Sting” starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford. It is a great example of a snare where two grifters con a mob boss out of his money as revenge for being responsible for the death of their friend. Snares of this sort tend to work in a way the takes something valuable from us.
This doesn’t have to be a lot of money as it was in the case of The Sting movie. Although if you see this is how scammers work Good!!! Because that is what they do, they set a snare to get us to give up our hard-earned money. Please don’t fall for them! Please be aware of the ways they try to snare us in believing their scams.
In addition to people trying to take our money, there are people who take something far more valuable. They take our peace of mind. They snare us into thinking they are a good person and then BAM! A switch flips and we are blindsided by their actions and words. We have been trapped in their snare and we begin to doubt our own senses and feelings. This has been called gas-lighting, ghosting, and other names but it all results in our disequilibrium as it pertains to our emotions. We may experience feelings of confusion and even doubt our sanity. People can have long-term anxiety and other emotional scars due to the snares we have fallen prey to and that have been set by others.
But there are a few things we can do to help ourselves.
First is to be proactive and learn about the ways people set “snares.” Having a good understanding of these traps, and the various terms we use to describe them can alert us when we find ourselves being the recipient of some of these tricks.
Second is to learn how to counter the techniques they use on us. Reading up and practicing what to say, helps us when we are in the moment. We can respond appropriately when people tell us we are being too sensitive or that we don’t know what we are talking about when we do.
Finally, and most importantly, when we stay close to God, when we read scripture and pray, we can discern what is right for us in our life AND God will help release us from the snares people try to trap us in. Knowing God’s will for our lives is so important. In knowing God’s will we tend to steer clear of people who want to do us harm in the first place.
Of course, if you have already been the recipient of someone’s “snare” please see a counselor to help you navigate through the emotions you are feeling from being trapped.
May your lives be free from snares.
Peace,
Pastor Beth
Beth's Blog 