Skip to main content

A Dog Called Courage



I love dogs.  I grew up with them.
They are the best pet in the world. (my opinion- no hate mail please!)
 
They are so lucky. They prance around living the good life- when to eat, when to go out, when they get to run, where are their toys and when they will get their belly rubbed.

Their only real concern is when they are going to see their Master next. And when they do, they will dance with joy. 
 
They don't worry about stuff like we do...
 
Public speaking, performing, speaking up when it's not popular, facing the unknown, taking a huge risk, asking your boss for a raise, sharing something personal in public, thinking about the future- or the future of someone else, uncomfortable confrontation, regretting the past, thinking about tomorrow, initiating a difficult conversation, taking the first step....

for pete's sake, they don't even make their own breakfast.
 
Life can be full of so much drama. Trouble. Worry.
And if your not feeling it now, it's lurking around the corner.
 
Fear is an interesting thing, as it can come in so many forms and tenses.
 
I fear the past will come back to haunt me.
I fear what you'll think of me- now and later.
I fear for you- what you'll do- or not do.
What's happening right now?
What's going to happen next?
 
Call it what you want- fear, worry, anxiety...
Either way, it can be paralyzing. It can take your breath away.
It can rule your thoughts and make life miserable.
 
Check out this comment I read the other day:
Fear and adrenaline feel exactly the same in our body...
fear is about stopping you, adrenaline is about forward action.

Choosing forward action takes courage.

In Psalms 27, David writes:
Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!

And again in chapter 31:
Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the Lord!

If I had a dog today, I might name him Courage.
 
He would remind me that I can choose forward action, instead of paralyzing fear.

He would remind me that the best part of my day is waiting on the Master. It's then that I can dance with joy.

 
Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

The Importance of Worship Together

Why is weekly worship with a local body of believers important? If we profess to be Christ-followers, we practice the teachings of God’s Word and follow the example brought to us by Jesus himself. This includes worshipping in unity, as one body, on a regular basis. But why corporate worship? Can’t we worship God the way we feel most comfortable by ourselves? And what’s with all the singing? The answer? As others have done, I could fill an entire book and reference all the scriptures (there are many) to prove that God commands us to worship, we were created to worship Him and in the end, all will worship Him (willing or not). For the sake of brevity, I’ll address a portion of the question here – a question I’ve been asked many times throughout my ministry. We endeavor to pare everything down to a few strategic elements in our worship services, encouraging believers to participate fully in this worship process – worship through song, prayer, giving and hearing of the Word of G...
Read more

Beauty of Love Divine

Check out this Sonnet by Michelangelo: The course of my life has brought me now Through a stormy sea, in a frail ship, To the common port where, landing We account for every deed, wretched or holy. So that finally I see How wrong the fond illusion was That made art my idol and my King, Leading me to want what harmed me. My amorous fancies, once foolish and happy What sense have they now that I approach two deaths The first of which I know is sure, the second threatening. Let neither painting nor carving any longer calm My soul turned to that divine Love Who to embrace us, opened His arms upon the cross. - On the Brink of Death ,  To Giorgio Vasari,  Sonnet LXV WOW. This reminds me to think of life in reverse. It may seem weird, but looking at the end - or starting with the end in mind - can give us perspective. When we think (like Michelangelo did here) from the perspective of death, suddenly many things we chase after seem insignificant and deceptive. Things...
Read more

Peacekeeping Vs Peacemaking- What's the Difference?

Being at peace with everyone seems impossible and at the very least, improbable. It hurts to not feel at peace with everyone, because we want to be liked (and drama free) right? It doesn't feel good when relationships go badly.  But this goes deeper than being liked or eliminating drama. It's about growing into mature people of God.  That's why Paul, in Romans 12:18 encourages us to ... do everything possible on your part to live in peace with everybody.   This is actually encouraging to me, because I may honestly do everything I feel is humanly possible, but still not achieve resolution- or even reconciliation in some cases.  Unfortunately these things aren't always possible, but a transformation of our own hearts and the practice of maturing as a peacemaker is... ...because we can only control ourselves and our behavior,  no matter what the other person does. (insert big sigh here. Okay 2 big sighs)  There's a big difference ...
Read more