Just before I went to bed that night in a motel in New York City, I heard a most symbolic song playing on the radio. The name of the song was “Bad Moon Rising” by Creedence Clearwater Revival. At the time, I was sitting on the king-size bed and thinking about all of my personal problems. The somber tune seemed to fit the moment.

The next day, I traveled to six different locations and at various times. I analyzed my problems and thought about the problems of others—all of these thoughts were going through my mind, while I also concentrated on the words to that song. Here is what the lyrics to that memorable tune meant to me:

I journeyed to a spot just outside of Jerusalem. At that time, the region was known as Judea. I sat in the Corvette on the crest of a hill. There was a full moon on the east horizon. I witnessed the crucifixion of Jesus. I had a well-defined frown on my face.

At the site of the San Francisco earthquake in 1989, I drove the Vette up to a particular spot on a major overpass and stopped. The highway had collapsed in front of me. I had a distinct frown on my face.

I traveled to Honduras in Central America, during Hurricane Mitch. Mitch was a category “5” storm, as severe a hurricane as there had ever been, up to that time. Steady winds in excess of 150 miles per hour rocked the Corvette, as if the car were a bobbing rubber raft on a high, choppy sea.

I got out of the vehicle. I thought that the weight of my heavy suit of armor would keep me firmly anchored to the ground. It didn’t! My feet, which were encased in my massive steel boots, blew out from under me. I quickly reached out and grabbed the driver-side door handle on the Vette. I was barely able to hold on to the handle with one hand. And I narrowly escaped injury or death from huge tree limbs, boards, and broken slabs of glass—debris that was flying, dangerously, through the air, directly in front of me.

Soon, though, I was able to get back on my feet. I surveyed some of the damage and destruction from the devastating storm system. Nearby, windows on houses and on businesses had been boarded up, prior to the hurricane. In the distance, I saw a broken down patio and the remaining rubble of what, just moments before, was a beautiful oceanfront beach house.

All of the trees in the area were bent low to the ground; some trees had snapped like brittle wooden match sticks. Numerous vehicles had been upended. Many more cars and trucks had been smashed by fallen trees or by other wind-blown objects.

The torrential rains from the slow-moving hurricane had caused several mudslides, which buried thousands of houses and trapped thousands of helpless citizens under tons of mud and debris. More than 20,000 people had lost their lives; many thousands more were missing and feared dead. I had a grave frown on my face.

I arrived in the Huntington Beach area of Southern California, during a severe coastal flood. On January 4, 1995, Huntington Beach received 4.5 inches of water, causing flooding in various areas of the city. Streets were flooded, cars were stalled, and the high water levels stranded people throughout the area. Eight neighborhoods were evacuated; many people could not safely leave their homes due to waist-high water.

I stood beside the car, on higher ground, just above the floodwater line. Helplessly, I watched as raging rivers and floodwaters created havoc with both property and lives—all as a result of the swift currents and high water levels. I had a serious frown on my face.

Obviously, I was despondent by all of the death and destruction that I had recently witnessed. I emphatically stated, “Regardless of the ages, I see that we must all confront real-life problems!”

I futilely tried to aid in the rescue attempts at the tragic, terrorists-caused, World Trade Centers catastrophe. Helpless, I stood at “ground zero” and witnessed the horrific carnage, which resulted in the death of nearly 2,800 innocent men and women and children, many more people hurt, some seriously injured. I had an unforgettable frown on my face.

I was deeply depressed. I asked myself, “What’s the use? Must I live in fear and anxiety in the midst of so many potential life-threatening problems?”

Saddened and disconsolate, I needed a break. I returned, briefly, to Camelot, where I hoped to find safer, more comfortable surroundings. But when I arrived, I heard disturbing noises coming from the other side of a huge rock, which obstructed my view.

I snuck up behind the big boulder and peered around the edge. I witnessed two supposedly noble knights; they were engaged in a bloody sword fight.

Then, a few yards off to my right, I noticed Merlin. The sorcerer fashioned a black magician’s hat and a black satin cape. Merlin was stirring something that was brewing in a big black kettle. The magician, so involved with his cooking, didn’t notice an approaching dragon. The hot-tempered beast spit flaming-red balls of fire as he rapidly closed in on the unsuspecting sorcerer. I had an alarming frown on my face.

Unable to escape from seemingly insurmountable personal problems and worries and from the problems of others in my midst, I asked, “Lord, where will I find the solutions to all of my personal problems?”

God appeared. She wore a predominately black sorcerer’s costume. The Lord said, “Wantsalittle, there are two types of problems: First, there are problems that you can solve on your own. Second, there are problems that you can solve, spiritually. Some problems may be difficult for you to understand and hard for you to cope with.”

“I’m fully understanding You, so far, Lord.”

God continued, “You are not apt to find a ready solution to every problem in life. If a problem seems insurmountable, why not put it in the hands of whoever or whatever you choose to be your God? You should try to have faith in your God and believe that your God will help you to deal with or solve any personal problem. If someone is an Agnostic or an Atheist, that individual should believe that he or she can solve any problem on his or her own.”

“Lord, sometimes I’m afraid to deal with my problems.”

“Follow the advice of Ralph Waldo Emerson who wrote, ‘Do the thing you fear, and the death of fear is certain.’ Come face to face with any problem. You may not find the solution you want, but your fear of the problem will disappear. And that’s of more value to you than what you wanted in the first place.”

“Uh-huh! From now on, I will directly confront my innermost fears and problems. Is there anything else that You would recommend?”

“Wantsalittle, as you think by setting problem-solving goals and turn to your God for help with problems that you cannot solve on your own, you will be equipped to solve or to deal with all personal problems. What problem will you stand nose to nose with today?”

“Right now, I’m concerned about a big bad dragon!”

Before God disappeared, She said, “I’m sure that you’ll be able to solve this problem without My help.”

The angry, threatening dragon created a monstrous problem for Merlin and me. The overgrown lizard stood as tall as a two-story building; just the size of the creature caused me a great deal of concern for my own safety. Other than looking out for my own wellbeing, I also wanted to help Merlin. The famous sorcerer was about to become an afternoon snack for the hungry dragon.

I lured the dragon to my favorite spot on earth—up on the hill, near the big red oak tree that overlooked the Lady of the Lake. I felt more comfortable and confident by gaining what I considered to be a home-field advantage. I believed that this particular location would give me an edge and significantly improve my odds for success as I prepared to go into battle against the dragon, a most formidable opponent.

With my steel-spiked war club in my left hand and my sharp-bladed ax in my right hand, I was poised and ready to confront the savage beast. A white owl, perched on a lofty branch in the big red oak tree, curiously looked on. The owl winked at me; the wise old bird offered me his support for my pending good cause.

I gazed out over the crystal-clear water of the small lake below. Once again, the Lady of the Lake surfaced and tempted me to draw Excalibur from her inviting hand.

With her long, straight, dark-blonde hair, the Lady of the Lake reminded me of actress Helen Hunt, who I saw in several movies while I was staying at Willie’s. I really enjoyed her films, especially As Good As It Gets and Pay It Forward. Anyway, I knew that if I had the mighty sword, the dragon would pose no serious threat to me. But I remembered that I must have faith in myself and in my God. I waived off the Lady of the Lake’s enticing proposition. Then the mysterious woman, guardian of the lake and keeper of the treasured sword, slowly submerged into the depths.

I became fearless in the face of my adversary. “I won’t be intimidated!” I confidently proclaimed. “I refuse to walk in my shadow of fear. Sir Dragon, I’ve got a real problem with you and your bad breath! I don’t need Excalibur to deal with you. I think that I’ll just take my war club and bop you across the bridge of your nose. Then I’ll take my ax and whack off your tainted tongue!”

The uncertain dragon thought better of the situation. He simply turned his tail and slithered away. I was pleasantly surprised at the dragon’s sudden reluctance and change of heart.

I yelled out at the cowering, retreating beast, “This time I’ll allow you a rain check. On the next occasion that our paths should cross, we will have to duel to the death!”

(The moral of this episode: When a problem seems insurmountable, put it in your God’s hands. Have faith in your God, and believe that your God will help you to deal with or solve any personal problem!)

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