I'll be the first to admit it. I'm afraid of rodents. All of them. Even hamsters. I don't know what it is about the little critters that absolutely, positively FREAKS ME OUT, but I totally cannot deal with rodents. So, yesterday, I was in the bathroom just uh, going about my business (if you know what I mean:). AND A MOUSE RAN RIGHT PAST MY FOOT! Oh my goodness! I let out an ear-piercing scream that I'm sure deafened people in the neighboring counties. You know, it was one of those hair-raising, gut-wrenching, I-am-so-terrified-it's-a-good-thing-I'm-on-the-toilet-or-I-would-be-wetting-my-pants kind of scream.
The children came running to see what could possibly be the matter. By the time they arrived on the scene, the mouse had long since disappeared. Apparently, mice have very good hearing, and the blood-curdling scream sent my little nemesis scurrying back into his hole. The questions started up immediately.
"What was it, Mama?"
"How big was he?"
"What did he look like?"
And my favorite..."Maybe there's a whole family in there!" Yes, wouldn't that just be lovely? We'll just make a science project out of this. I don't think you've ever dissected mice before!
Well, I may be afraid of mice, but I'm no dummy! I ran to the junk drawer and pulled out a big wad of modeling clay. Quick as a wink, I plugged up the offending hole. Patting myself on the back, I bid my unwanted guest a final good-bye. "Sayonara, Mr. Mouse! It's been nice knowing you." BUT, before the day even came to an end, that undersized rat was once again prancing across my linoleum as if he owned the place. Ack!
How is it that this little 3 ounce creature has me tiptoeing across the kitchen at night, terrified that he might run across my foot at any moment? I outweigh him by, well, let's say over a 100 pounds, and we'll just leave it at that. I could squish him with one stomp of my size 7 foot, but merely THINKING about TOUCHING him gives me the willies. Oh oh oh! That is just gross. My foot is contorting in Horrification (yes, that is a real word!).
Makes me stop and consider the other things that keep me up at night. It's not just mice that strike terror in this cowardly heart of mine. You name it, I'm afraid of it! I'm afraid of an economic crisis. I'm afraid of Barack Obama (after all, they say he's the anti-Christ and Hitler reincarnated... what's not to be afraid of???). I'm afraid of tornadoes and rising gas prices and car accidents and terrorists and vaccinations and petroleum products and high fructose corn syrup and yes, I'm afraid of MICE!
But you know what? God doesn't want me to live this way. He said...AND I QUOTE, "Fear Not!" You know what that means in the original Greek???
"Fear Not!"
Yep, there's no way around that directive. It's not a request, a suggestion, a positive thought for the day. It is a command! Jesus came to give me life "more abundant and free," and that kind of life doesn't include trembling in the corner with my blanket and binkie! So, instead of tiptoeing around my kitchen tonight, I'll be marching in with one of my daughter's favorite verses at the ready, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of POWER and of LOVE and of a SOUND MIND!" (II Timothy 1:7) What do you think about that, Mr. Mouse???!!!
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So do not fear for I am with you. Do not be dismayed for I am thy God. I will strengthen you, strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 -- Do you remember this song from the Halo Express? I was just reminded of it the other day and thought it went well with your post about fear. Fear, anxiety, and the like are things that I've lived with for soooooooo long that they almost become a familiar companion even though I'd rather not even associate myself with them. My mind and body have so long been accustomed to these things that they automatically respond with fear and anxiety even if I don't want them to! It's so frustrating some days! We need to fight this fight against fear and anxiety together as sisters by blood and sisters in Christ! I hate being fearful and full of anxiety! I hate it with a passion and by God's grace, I will walk in faith today with His power and His love and with the sound mind that He gives and I will NOT listen to the lies running in my head to be fearful of this or that, but I will trust Him and His power over all these things! Love you and praying for you!
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