Levi's Worst Case Scenario

Levi with our youngest grandson Jonas

Whenever we are going to broil turkey burgers, our dog Levi gets nervous.  We put the kitchen fan on, put the burgers under the broiler, and Levi heads for the smallest room on the main floor to hide~ the bathroom.  If I am in my chair he heads over to me, jumps up and shakes so hard he has us both vibrating.  Oh how he hates to hear that kitchen fan going.......He is expecting the worst.

It seems that more than once in the past the broiler has set off the fire alarms.  All three on the main level.  It is a bit challenging for our human ears, yet alone a dog's.  He hears the fan, he smells the meat, and he is expecting the alarms to pierce his ears. He is sure the worst is coming and his body starts reacting well before the alarm goes off.

We talk to him in a soft voice, we coax him, soothe him, but to no avail.  All he can think about is that piercing noise that is coming......2+2  always =4  ~ right??

I think we can relate to this scenario at times.  Something comes up, and we are right back into the past and expecting the worst to happen.  The past warns us.........and we are so ready to listen, expecting bad news.   God whispers in our ear, soothes our soul and tells us it will be okay, but we have a difficult time taking our focus off the circumstances.  We may even react before the dreaded "thing" arrives....we just know it is going to rock our world again and we respond from a place within that is connected to our past, to our humanness.

The difference between our dog Levi and us is the ability to reason things out.  The ability to turn to God's Word and trust His promises.  We can make that choice!  We know that all will be okay because God tells us it will. 

"All things work together for good for those who love the Lord."

Romans 8:28

We can find the peace we need because God tells us how in Isaiah.

"The Lord wil keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed upon Him

because he trusts in Him."

Isaiah 26:3

We need not let fear rule our lives.  We know we have what we need for every situation.

"We have not been given a spirit of fear,

but a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind."

2 Tim 1:7

 We need not expect the worst to happen.   God has promised us the best!

"For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord,

plans for good and not for evil,

to give you a future and a hope."

Jeremiah 29:11

Levi, our "little guy" turns to us for safety.  Who do we turn to for safety?  God of course!  We find assurance and peace in His Word and His promises.  Always.