Take a pitch –  your Lion Bites word for today

I heard God say, ‘Take a pitch’. Apparently, this is a term in baseball when the batter (or ‘the batsman’ in UK terms) intentionally declines to swing at the ball that has been thrown at him by the pitcher (‘the bowler’) and he gives off body language that displays his intentions.

Be patient and confident in the abilities and gifts that God has given you and the promises that He has spoken into your life. Don’t wildly swing at the very first thing that is thrown your way because, though it might look like the answer to prayer and a lifeline, it may be more strategically important to wait for ‘the pitch’ that is just right for you and your swing, Closeness to God, open ears to Him and a yielded and faithful heart will be super-important, so that you know the right times to swing or not to swing at something.

The following practical baseball advice might be useful to you as you listen to the Holy Spirit over decisions and opportunities:
More patient batters will often take more pitches [decline to swing] out of the strikezone, because they are better at anticipating a pitcher’s strategy (and more comfortable in the batter’s box), while batters who are in the middle of a hitting slump might swing at even very bad pitches. Batters also tend to take more pitches [decline to swing] when the pitcher they are facing has illustrated wildness and lack of control during the game.

Psalm 37:7-8
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.