A few years ago, we got a new puppy–a golden retriever. Full grown, these dogs can be quite large, anywhere between 80 to 120 pounds. But at 6 weeks old, Ginger was pretty small when we picked her up.
Keesha–the much older and wiser dog of the home–wasn’t much larger than the new little pup. Ginger’s curiosity quickly began to threaten Keesha’s little world. As the adventurous, young pup ventured into unwelcome territory, Keesha would immediately reveal her teeth and start to growl. If she got too close, Keesha would bark and even snap at her, but never bite her.
Initially, Ginger was quite intimidated. At the hint of Keesha’s threatening growl, the little pup would submissively roll over onto her back showing Keesha that she didn’t want any trouble. Two months later, however, Keesha still shows her teeth, barks and even snaps, but Ginger now knows that Keesha is all bark and no bite.
I share this story for one reason–fear is the same way. Fear, like Keesha, can show its fierce teeth, bark viciously and sometimes even snap at you. But, fear is all bark and no bite.
For the longest time, I would immediately rollover and cower at the first growl of fear. I would avoid a particular situation or skirt around an area that I knew was a threat. Soon, my world became smaller and smaller.
Unlike Ginger, who quickly recognized that her fear was baseless, I continued giving way to consuming fear. The growl, too loud. The threat, too real. But in answer to prayer, God started to show me just how unfounded my fear was, and how much I could trust him through those terrifying times.
Today, fear stills growls, roars and shows its ugly teeth attempting to scare me, but like Ginger, I now know that it’s all bark and no bite. By the grace and strength of God, I no longer give way to that fear.
erbium doped fiber amplifier“Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour. Take a firm stand against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are” (1 Peter 5:8-9).
Prayer: Father, for too long, I’ve listened to the bark of fear. I’ve cowered, rolled over onto my back and gave in to roaring of the enemy. Father, I’m so tired of giving into this fear. Give me your strength to rise above the fear. Give me courage to press through. Help me to know that fear is all bark and no bite, and that I can trust you with all of my heart. With your strength, I choose today to no longer give in to fear. No matter how strong the growl sounds or how fierce the teeth look, I will not cower. In your strength, we will overcome. Lord, I ask all of these things in the name of Jesus. Amen!
