How do you respond to fear? My sister’s family was recently on vacation and left their pets and plants under my care. I have done this for several years, but their rescue dog, Mocha still has trust issues.
This year, she was doing really well. She didn’t bark at me when I pulled up. She would even approach me to lick my hand and sometimes allow me to pet her. However, three or four days into my sister’s vacation, something changed. I’m not sure if she was frightened by my husband who tagged along that evening or if it was the storm moving in, but something scared Mocha, and she broke through the underground fence system. She crossed the boundary lines that were set to protect her and ran away from the one who could help her. Either she didn’t see me past her fears to know that I, her caregiver, was there or if she just didn’t trust me enough to help her.
I called for her over and over and rattled her food bucket. Then I drove around and searched for her until dark, but she couldn’t be coaxed back. I’m not sure if she was too scared to come out of hiding, too far gone to hear my voice, or too afraid of being shocked by the fence or punished by her caregiver if she returned. I hoped she wouldn’t get hit by a car or that she wouldn’t wander so far away that she couldn’t find her way back. Yet, she wouldn’t respond to me; I finally left her to do as she pleased even though I knew it wasn’t what was best for her.
I came back to search for her the next day and was thankful to see her sitting on the front steps when I returned. When she saw me pull into the drive, she excitedly ran to greet me. She followed me everywhere and even ate out of my hand. Once again, I gave her food and water and assured her of my love. She was trusting me again, and I was glad.
What happens to you when the storm is moving in or when something frightens you? God is there to take care of you through it all. Can you see him beyond your fears? Can you trust him?
When you’re tired of running and hiding, surrender to the One who knows best. If you’ve gone too far to hear His voice, turn around and listen. If you’re fearful that anger and discipline await you, remember the love the Father showed when the prodigal son returned to ask forgiveness (Luke 15:11-32).
When you find yourself in a scary situation, remember the words God spoke in Isaiah 43 to assure his people that he would walk through their trials with them. When the storm rages, and you fear you won’t make it through, remember how Jesus calmed the wind and sea (Mark 4:29-35). When life gets difficult, and things aren’t going your way, remember that God is in control that if you have committed your life to Christ, nothing can separate you from his love—not even death (Romans 8:31-39)!
If you are in Christ, trust that God will be with you no matter what life throws your way. Keep your eyes on Jesus and trust “that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). Be confident that no matter what you must endure, Jesus will always be with you and will one day take you home to live with him forever in a place where there will be no more pain or tears (Revelation 21).
If you have never made the decision to trust Jesus with your life, I urge you to repent. God wants none to perish but all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9) and have eternal life with him. Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your heart. You can trust God, your creator, your caregiver, the one who is in control; but you must surrender to his will and follow his son. Stop running. Stop hiding. Turn from doing things your way and make the decision to follow him. He will always be there to guide you, and his boundaries will keep you safe.