Walking outside, my body settled into a rhythm and my mind trailed off into prayer that likely sounded like, “God help me today… God lead me in my ways…”
But then I heard something. Something coming at me. A dog, running at full speed. Behind me. It was coming, fast. Mentally, I braced myself for impact. I was about to go down.
My heart beat a million miles an hour, my head wanted to duck for cover, my face contorted and tightened for impact…and then, the dog came and stopped alongside me.
It looked at me, almost asking, “Will you pet me?”
I exhaled. I was okay.
The owner screamed out, “Sorry to scare you. I usually let my dog run home.”
“It’s fine.” I answered.
But, was I fine? Why did I brace for the worst? Why did I expect the impact?
When life has hit a million times, I guess you keep on expecting that it will. When the worst has come and hit, something in you says, this is going to happen all over again.
Ever been there? Where have you been repeatedly hit?
And, might you – like me – expect the worst? Be bracing for what is bad?
To brace is an expectation; it is to tighten, to cover, to hide, to agonize. To trust is also an expectation: it is to lean on God and trust His protecting.
How do I change my unconscious instinct?
Well, I certainly don’t tell myself not to do it. Did you know that people who have a “Don’t let your dog pee on my yard” sign actually have yards that are more peed all over? We resist hard instruction.
What I do, instead is — even in the heat of a high-fearing moment — pause.
I pause and say, “God, You will protect me; I trust You.”
Even if the worst still does happen, God can still work it all out for the best. I really can trust Him! The bark may be loud, but the bite (in retrospect of all that has ever happened to me) has never had real impact!
What about you?
Friends, God’s protection is real.
Prayer: Father, raw fear is scary. Having disaster loom over you is the worst. Help me, in moments where I feel out of control, to remember You, Father. I have a Father who loves me and protects me. I can trust You. May I really do that. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
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