Our dog, Hey Girl, is as brave as any other Belgium Malinois mix there can be out there. Except when it comes to fireworks. This time of year, right before the 4th of July is a truly challenging time for her as well as us. Our neighborhood is next door to a native American reservation where it is legal to sell and blast the fireworks. So, a lot of the fireworks bleed over out past the reservation’s ‘border’ – basically throughout the city.
When a big BOOOM goes off down the street from us, all 90 pounds of Hey Girl goes dashing for the nearest hidey-hole she can find .. behind the couch, under my work desk… any place that is small and dark. She doesn’t understand that the noise cannot hurt her. She only understands the fight or flight gear that gets switched in her brain. In this case it’s fear. As her protectors we have setup her special place to go and hide out when these loud noises happen. It’s her safe place.
Just like our Hey Girl, there are times humans get into the fight or flight mode. With soldiers coming back from a war, the boom of fireworks can also trigger it. For others who have suffered from being molested it could be a little gesture of a person’s hand on their back. Or just the current world events – the pandemic, economic collapse, wars and rumors of war – can get under anyone’s nerves and trigger an anxiety attack.
As we do for our dog and give her protection, God is there to protect us.
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. – Du 31:6
If you are feeling out of sorts, fearful, angry and the heart starts racing, the sweat beads up on your forehead, go to your hidey-hole. God! The Bible has many words of wisdom to help. Start with prayer asking God to give you protection from the spiritual warfare – to give you guidance.
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. – EPH 6:10-13
There are many ways to get into your hidey-hole – attend church, go to a Bible study, read the Bible online … listen to Christian music. And yes, there are Christian rock bands out there for those who like that genre.
Finally, as I like to say, “LG, LG” – Let Go, Let God!