One morning, on my daily morning walk, I passed by a wooded area and was startled by the sound of an angry man’s gruff voice. “Stop right there”, the stern voice shouted. I couldn’t see anyone nor could I tell from which direction the voice was coming. I wasn’t sure if the man was yelling at me or not, so I stopped in my tracks. I heard the voice again, in an even angrier tone say, “Get over here, right now!” Was he talking to me? Could he have a gun? Was he wanting to rob me? I was having all types of fear-filled scenarios run through my head as I stood there. Then, I heard the sound of a dog barking in the woods. The man called out again, “Get over here!” Phew! I realized he wasn’t yelling at me but at his dog who had run away from him. One last time he yelled “Get over here, Fluff-Fluff!” His dog’s name was “Fluff-Fluff!” I couldn’t help but laugh out loud when I heard him call the dog’s name. There’s no way I should be afraid of a man who would call his dog “Fluff-Fluff”. I started back on my walk, amused by the fear that had stopped me in my tracks just moments earlier.
Isn’t it funny how powerful the emotion of FEAR can be? To be honest, I was just a little bit disappointed at my first reactions to this situation. After all, I claim to have a relationship with a Mighty, Powerful God. I’ve often quoted the scripture “Greater is He that is in me than He that is in the world” and “if God is for me who can be against me.” But, just for a moment I forgot all of that and caved in to an irrational FEAR. I’m so glad that man named his dog Fluff-Fluff, though! When I heard that name ringing out through the woods my fear dissipated and laughter took its place.
One day in the not-to-distant future I know that every fear I’ve ever faced on this planet will dissolve and will seem like pure nonsense when I stand before Almighty God, and fully realize all of the greatness that He possesses that I never fully comprehended here on Earth. Yes, when I get to Heaven I have a feeling I will spend a good bit of time laughing at how absurd all of my earthly fears and worries were.
Isaiah 41:10 (ESV)
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God
