Our friend's horse was in a jam. She had accidentally stepped into a small feeder that's usually used to hold a mineral block. It was so bitter cold that the bottom cracked when the mare stepped on it and her hoof went all the way through. Of course, that created something like a plastic bracelet around her hoof and she couldn't get it off. Visiting relatives saw the mare just standing there like a statue; traumatized and paralyzed by this thing that wouldn't come off her foot. So, they went out there to help. One of them calmed the horse while the other worked on setting her free. This is interesting because usually this horse would balk at letting strangers get near her. Not this time. She stood perfectly still, somehow realizing that these people had come to help her out of her jam. And they did. I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "Paralyzing Predicaments." Even though that horse was scared, she was smart enough to let someone help her. Sadly, she was smarter than many of us when we're hurting or when we're in a predicament. Maybe you're struggling right now, but you're struggling alone. You're not letting anyone else in to help you and you're stuck in your problem. Like that horse, you may not be able to move on unless and until you open up to some help. Some of us are trying to be Lone Rangers, keeping everything inside, stuffing it, proudly trying to handle it all by ourselves. But even the Lone Ranger had Tonto! In our word for today from the Word of God, the Lord makes clear that He believes in the power of two more than the power of one. Ecclesiastes 4, beginning with verse 9, actually says, "Two are better one... if one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls down and has no one to help him up! ... Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." By the way, I believe those three strands are you, God, and someone you open up to and let them help you. And right now you may be standing, basically paralyzed, because of your reluctance to let someone get close enough to help you. It's time to share that burden, however frightened or ashamed or wounded you may be. Share it with a pastor, a counselor, a mature Christian friend ... a family member you trust. You need their perspective. You need their support. You need their wisdom. They'll be able to see things you can't see. They'll think of things from an objective perspective - whether it's your marriage, or your past, your addiction, your big decision, your dark secret, or any other struggle. You were never meant to face it alone. By the way, after that horse was rescued from her predicament, she responded in an interesting way. She didn't move for hours - even though she was free. That could be a picture of someone who's listening right now. Christ has given you His new identity, His forgiveness, His grace for your grief. He's given you His freedom to make your future different from your past. But you're still standing there like you're still a prisoner; like you're still a victim. Hey, you're free! You can walk, you can trot, and you can gallop. It's time to get moving again! God commands us to "forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!" (Isaiah 43:18). Open up to the help of your Lord. Open up to the help of someone He will use to help you get moving again. Then, don't keep dwelling on the trouble or the trauma. You don't have to be paralyzed. You're free to run again!