Fighting Fear

We all want to take the high road, the road most favored with maximum amount of blessing. That road requires much work, training to prepare for the journey ahead. It is this part of the high road no one cares for experiencing.

Welcome to story time … hahaha. So at my monthly hair day we were discussing dogs- per my toddler who’s concerned with barking dogs and isn’t a fan.

Conversation went from dogs and fences to being bitten and I told this story- which only a few people in my life have heard – my cousin being the most often to hear of my dog adventures 🤣 I don’t know why but I always find it entertaining.

We live in the country, country people rarely “fence” their dogs. They chase cars, they roam some but mostly unless you are on the road in front of someone’s house they aren’t a bother. I run … well I’ve been on a hiatus- life but I so enjoy running and have often chosen my route by the nature of the dogs I run by.

I also have dogs, they enjoy running with me(one is particularly chicken hearted) our lab will faithfully stay on my left side though in order to best shield me . I have been chased by a lot of dogs, small to large . I’ve carried pepper spray and even a mase gun until I realized I was my best defense .

Don’t get me wrong with the first time I was scared to death but in fear for chicken hearts life ( she rolls over when attacked) I acted a complete fool in front of the golf course during prime golf weather BUT this moment changed everything. I was running a particular route I chose because I was trying to build mileage, some people along this road have large pits who are a tad scary when chasing you. This particular day I managed past them only to realize they had chicken heart on the ground so I reached down grabbed the biggest rocks I saw and ran screaming like an angry banchee at the dogs and in their astonishment backed off. This also empowers my trusty girl and chicken heart to stand ground because they are no longer afraid. Momma was fighting with them what was to fear ?

This became my defense. If I ever felt threatened I picked up a rock and stomped toward them if they did not back down I screamed. I do not fear dogs anymore… haha dogs fear me. So after telling this my friend says there is a lesson there so tonight I sought it out.

Dogs chase when you run, it’s a game , to catch, to toy, or to destroy. Maybe that first step out of the fear of running is to stop, shout, and pick up a rock.

I see our battle with Satan much the same way. We run and he chases, you can’t out run a dog most times our best defense is to stand and fight. What weapon do we have though? A stone to throw? That’s all David had and still he shouted at Goliath

45 David said to the Philistine: “You come against me with a sword, spear, and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord of Armies, the God of the ranks of Israel — you have defied him. 46 Today, the Lord will hand you over to me. Today, I’ll strike you down, remove your head, and give the corpses of the Philistine camp to the birds of the sky and the wild creatures of the earth. Then all the world will know that Israel has a God, 47 and this whole assembly will know that it is not by sword or by spear that the Lord saves, for the battle is the Lord’s. He will hand you over to us.” – 1 Samuel 17:45-47

David knew the battle was won, he believed in the God he shouted about even if no one else did.

We should all be so bold to turn around to the dogs chasing us- knowing our Father fights for us the battle is won.

31 What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He did not even spare his own Son but offered him up for us all. How will he not also with him grant us everything? 33 Who can bring an accusation against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies. – Romans 8:31-33

So today I challenge you – Don’t let the dog chase you, turn and stomp your feet and grab a rock. The first step is simple obedience . Declare your victory sister ! You have nothing to fear . Victory is yours because you belong to Him.

Like Simba in the elephant grave yard, your roar is that of your Father and it terrifies the dogs .