Daily Devotional for May 19, 2017
Be Still
The little dog snapped at everyone who came near. She had been a stray until Mikey found her last week. Mikey loved her, but now Mom told him the dog wasn’t safe. They would have to give her to a dog shelter.
“But Mom, Aunt Amy trains dogs! Can’t we ask her for help?” Mikey pleaded.
Mom agreed, and Aunt Amy came over the next day. “Pippi is the nicest dog until someone comes to the door,” Mom told her when she arrived. “Then she lunges at them, baring her teeth.”
“She feels like she has to protect the home,” Aunt Amy said. “Take away her job by assuring her you will protect it instead.”
Aunt Amy showed Mikey and Mom how to stand in front of the door when the doorbell rang and loudly command, “My house! My door! Be still!” Then she smacked the floor loudly with a walking stick. The effect was astonishing. Little Pippi backed off immediately and plopped to the ground.
She wasn’t healed instantly. Mikey and Mom had to repeat the training many times, but soon, when people came to the door, Pippi would wag her tail instead of snapping and growling. “I don’t believe it,” said Mom. “You’d never know anyone was ever afraid of her—she’s so gentle now!”
“Aunt Amy says she never wanted the job of protecting the home,” Mikey said. “She was just afraid if she didn’t do it, no one would.”
“Interesting,” said Mom. “Though I guess Christians can be like that too sometimes.”
“Do some Christians bite?” Mikey asked in surprise.
“No,” Mom said, tousling his hair, “but when we don’t trust Jesus to be in charge and protect us, we become fearful and try to control things ourselves—and that can make us behave in bad ways. Instead, we need to be still and trust that He’s in control, not us.”
Mikey nodded, glancing at Pippi, who was listening, her sleepy eyes slowly closing.
Mom smiled and stroked Pippi’s head. “God’s house. God’s door. Be still.” – Vicky Kaseorg
How about you?
Do you feel afraid when things seem out of control? Maybe you’ve had to move to a new place and make new friends or say goodbye to someone you love. Don’t try to take control of the situation by acting out of anger or bitterness. Jesus knows what you’re feeling, and He will help you through it. Be still and trust that He’s in control.
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