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Here in Canada we recently celebrated Canada Day. Besides being a day to contemplate how God has blessed this land and to thank Him that this nation is our home, it is also a day where families get together for barbeques and picnics; where couples go out for ice cream; and of course, the grand finale: Fireworks!
For me, it was really a day like any other. I didn't remember it was Canada Day, and when my wife reminded me, I smiled with recognition, but immediately forgot it was a special day. Until the fireworks, that is…
The fireworks didn't start up until it was already past my bedtime. I'm sure they were pretty, but with my visual issues and my wife's insistence that for some reason I keep a regular schedule, I didn't get to see them. Kia, our dog, didn’t get to see them either; but unlike me, she was less than amused by the popping noises! Better put, she was frantic.
Fortunately, my wife had gotten some special pills from the veterinarian. Instead of cowering in her crate and refusing to let anyone comfort her as she usually did during fireworks displays, she stuck to my wife's side like Velcro. Though obviously still upset, at least she allowed my wife to comfort her.
This all kind of reminds me of our walk with God. God understands our fears. We may not be afraid of fireworks, but we all have our own things we're afraid of. God does tell us, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged..." (2 Chron. 32:7a NIV). In fact, He tells us numerous times in the Bible to not be afraid. Nonetheless, He is right there when we do fear, ready to help us through. Remember Jesus in the boat (See Mark 4:35-41)? The wind and waves had whipped up so furiously that the boat was nearly swamped. As soon as His disciples called out to Him, however, He was there: "Quiet! Be still! " (Mark 4:39 NIV).
My wife would prefer to not give medication to our dog. Her desire is that through these stressful moments, the quaking canine would simply come to her for comfort. Jesus, also, would prefer that we come to Him. In fact, after calming the storm on the sea, He rebuked His disciples: "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” (Mark 4:40 NIV). Nonetheless, He meets us where we are at. He reaches out to us as we quake in fear, inviting us to come to Him so that He can give us rest; and it makes Him overjoyed when we do.
What I find the most interesting, however, is that something that is supposed to bring such pleasure to humans can bring such fear to dogs! In all honestly, Kia's fear is completely ungrounded. That popping noise may hurt her ears, but it really isn't going to hurt her. So many times, we also are afraid of things that may actually be there to help us and to bring us joy. We are afraid of change, afraid of loss, afraid of illness; yet God knows that same change or loss we fear will in the end ultimately make us happy. He knows that as He carries us through illness, etc., we will draw closer to Him and we will be so blessed.
Maybe it's time we analyze what we are afraid of! Could it be that maybe, just maybe, what we fear is really for our own pleasure? Why don’t we all try turning to God next time we are afraid? Why not put our trust in Him and let Him carry us through whatever it may be, trusting that He will get us through to the other side, and even more, that what we find on the other side of our fear will actually be beautiful!
Inspired by Rob Chaffart
Director, Answers2Prayer Ministries
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