Washing Your Fears Away

Posted on April 18, 2007
Filed Under Uncategorized, Spirituality, Fear |

“Jaaaaack,” we taunt, “You wanna bbbbbbaaaaaattttttthhhhhhh?” “Jack, wanna bath? Wanna bath? Wanna bath?” As we raise our volume and the tone in our voices, Jack’s excitement level also rises. See, Jack hates baths, and will do everything he can to avoid them. Our normally easy, docile dog becomes a barking, snarling, jumping beast at the mere thought of a bath. The funny thing is, I can’t even remember the last time Jack got a bath. I mean, here, at home. For the past two years or so Jack’s grooming has been done at the dog groomer’s. But I guess he remembers the days climbing into our tub, getting the suds down, and enduring the blow-dryer to the face. (For the record, I didn’t like giving Jack his baths any more than he liked getting them . . . my aching back!) The memory alone of the torment is enough to drive him crazy.

We can do the same thing; allow the memory of a past hurt, “failure”, or disappointment to take us out of our normally peaceful, confident, and faithful selves, and into doubtful, fearful, and faithless people. Because we were hurt by someone we loved dearly, we vow never to love again. Because a friend took advantage of us, we’re guarded and distrustful of nearly everybody. Or, because we didn’t realize one dream, we dare not dream again.

Isaiah 43: 18, 19

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

Do not dwell on the past . . . and we can do that because God promises new mercies with each new day and daily bread to meet our needs.

What I think God wants from us, on any given day, is fearlessness. Fearlessness to love, to believe, and to walk in the full purpose of God for our lives. 1 John says that perfect loves drives out fear, and if God is anything, He is love. So, let’s be fearless shall we? Even of baths. (And, don’t worry about Jack . . . he’s still plenty stinky!)

Peace and Blessings

Nicole Walters