As I walked outside, my body settled into a rhythm and my mind lost itself in a prayer that probably sounded like, “God help me today… God lead me in my ways…”
But then I heard something. Something is coming towards me. A dog running at full speed. Behind me. It was happening, quickly. Mentally, I braced myself for the impact. I was about to go down.
My heart was beating a million miles an hour, my head wanted to duck to hide, my face twisted and twitched from the impact…and then, the dog came and stopped next to me.
He looked at me, almost asking, “Will you pet me?”
I exhaled. I was fine.
The owner shouted, “Sorry to scare you. I usually let my dog go home.”
“It’s good.” I answered.
But am I okay? Why did I prepare for the worst? Why did I expect this impact?
When life has knocked a million times, I guess you just keep expecting it to. When the worst comes and hits, something inside you says it’s going to happen again.
Have you ever been there? Where have you been repeatedly hit?
And could you – like me – expect the worst? Prepare yourself for what is bad?
Preparing is an expectation; it is to tighten, to cover, to hide, to anguish. Trusting is also an expectation: it is relying on God and trusting in his protection.
How can I change my unconscious instinct?
Well, I’m certainly not telling myself not to do it. Did you know that people who have a “Don’t let your dog pee in my yard” sign actually have yards where there is more pee everywhere? We resist harsh instructions.
What I do, instead, is – even in the heat of a moment of great fear – pause.
I pause and say, “God, you will protect me; I trust you. »
Even if the worst still happens, God can always work it out for the better. I can really trust him! The barking may be loud, but the biting (looking back on everything that’s happened to me) has never had any real impact!
And you?
My friends, God’s protection is real.
Prayer: Father, raw fear is scary. Having a disaster looming over you is the worst. Help me, in times when I feel out of control, to remember You, Father. I have a Father who loves me and protects me. I can trust you. Can I really do this. In the Name of Jesus. Amen.
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a determined faith
Kelly, a fun, active, and spunky mom to two rambunctious toddlers, spends her days pushing swings, changing diapers, and pursuing the Lord with all her heart. Called the “Cheerleader of Faith,” Kelly’s greatest desire is to help women live passionately, purposefully, and unhindered for the Lord.
