"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink;
or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?"
Matthew 6:25
Our dog, Little Mac, agreed to help me illustrate the effects worry and fear have in our lives. He hasn't joined a union yet, but I'll see that he gets an extra treat for his help.
In this first picture Little Mac shows us how he looks when he's feeling alert, happy, and confident (in spite of the early hour). He's a dog who needs grooming due to either high activity or a heavy sleep and who's a little dirty from having some good clean fun in the backyard, but overall he's "smarter than your average dog" and lives to please. He's excited and curious about the possibilities for today such as a good ear-scratching, an extra treat, a walk, guests, a car ride, a good chase with Sonny the cat, a long nap on the cool wood floors or, even better, some bonding time on the sofa with someone he loves. His ears are in the "up" position, indicating his positive outlook but he's sitting on the other part of him that tells his story. Although you can't see it, his tail's wagging with the easy acceptance of this opportunity to help me.
However, watch what a distant roll of thunder does to our brave and stout Little Mac.
He's the first to admit that thunder can literally scare the poop out of him. His fear zaps his confidence and his ears hang low. He shivers with dread and can't be comforted. His tail no longer swishes back and forth in its usual carefree manner but becomes almost rigid, as if paralyzed by the "monster" hovering and screaming outside. Tom, Nick and I love storms so he's not picking up on our fears: it's what goes on in that little dog head of his that leaves him a shaking, anxious, inconsolable mess. Little Mac takes his role of protector for our family seriously so maybe he's worried he can't protect us from this unseen threat. Sadly, no matter how many thunderstorms we've all survived together, he still responds in fear and trepidation. You can't teach an old dog new tricks if he refuses to give up old habits .
Fear isn't the only thief that steals Little Mac's confidence. See if you can determine what feeling Little Mac's next photo communicates.
Shame tag teams with Fear to leap in the ring and put in the final blows on any effort we make to fight. We crawl for the corner to beat ourselves up over what we can't believe we did or didn't do. To achieve this shot, Little Mac remembered a time he tore into the kitchen trash can and didn't clean up after himself. His sin found him out and he couldn't make eye contact with us for a long time after his wild ride through the garbage. He stayed out of sight and skulked in the shadows. Retrieving this memory pained our forgiven dog, but he was willing to share it to help you and me avoid letting fear and shame control our lives.
Little Mac didn't want me to leave you with a negative picture of him, so here's one last photo depicting the complete confidence and peace that characterizes him 95 percent of the time. It's a dog's life.
Father God, Sovereign Lord and Master, You are our Protector from seen and unseen enemies. You forgive the sins that could shame us and You're the Lifter of our heads. Guide us to confess every sin keeping us in the background of Your Purposes for us. Guide us to accept Your Comfort and live with faith in Your assurances. You've promised never to leave us or forsake us; may we be to You the picture of faithfulness to You and confidence in You!
In the Name of Jesus Who was high and lifted up so we would never again have to live in worry or fear!
"Be strong and courageous.
Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you;
He will never leave you nor forsake you."
Deuteronomy 31:6
"'I Myself will tend My sheep and have them lie down,' declares the Sovereign LORD."
Ezekiel 34:15
Inspired by Little Mac
photos taken on my iphone at 5:30 a.m. (Little Mac is not only a good dog but a good sport)
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