Praise, Panic, and a Preacher’s Horse

 

There’s something to be said about giving clear instructions—especially when lives depend on it.

This is the story of a man, a preacher, and a rather peculiar horse.

One sunny afternoon, a traveler wandered through a quiet town and saw a sign outside a small wooden chapel:

"Horse for Sale – Faith Required."

Curious, he knocked on the chapel door. A kind-faced preacher answered and welcomed him in. After a brief chat, the preacher led the man to the back pasture, where a strong, chestnut horse stood calmly under a tree.

“I’m interested,” the man said. “But I’d like to take him for a ride first.”

“Of course,” said the preacher. “But there’s something you should know.”

The man raised an eyebrow.

“This horse,” the preacher said with a smile, “has been trained… a little differently.”

“Oh?”

“To get him moving, you say ‘Praise the Lord.’

To make him stop, you say ‘Amen.’ Simple as that.”

The man blinked. “You’re serious?”

“As serious as Sunday service,” the preacher chuckled.

Skeptical but amused, the man climbed onto the saddle.

“Alright then... Praise the Lord,” he said.

The horse began to walk.

Encouraged, he said it again—“Praise the Lord!”—and the horse trotted.

One more time, with more excitement—“Praise the Lord!”—and the horse broke into a gallop.

Wind rushed past his face, trees blurred, and the man was laughing out loud—until he saw the cliff.

His joy turned to panic.

“WHOA!” he shouted. The horse didn’t stop.

“STOP! HALT! HOLD IT!” Nothing.

He pulled on the reins, leaned back, screamed—all in vain.

The cliff edge was seconds away.

Then, like a lightning bolt, he remembered.

“AMEN!” he cried out.

The horse skidded to a halt—just inches from the edge. Dust rose around them. The man sat frozen, heart pounding.

He let out a deep, trembling breath, wiped the sweat from his brow, looked up at the sky, and said—

“Praise the Lord.”

Sometimes life races faster than we expect.

We think we’re in control—until suddenly we’re not. And in that moment, it’s not about strength or shouting, but remembering what truly matters.

It’s about faith, timing, and yes… saying the right word at the right time.

And maybe—just maybe—it's also a reminder not to celebrate too early.

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Out Of The Box July 06, 2025