F.E.A.R. Attacked #TheBreakup
Meet our Maltese puppy Captain (a.k.a. Cap).
Yes, he’s adorable. And yes, he slept in my lap for an hour today and I had no desire to move at all. Cap isn’t just a puppy. He’s a prayer request answered and a 21-year wish granted. I’ve always always begged for a puppy and finally, my parents got Cap a few months ago.
But despite his cuteness and fuzziness, he’s a wild little puppy that likes to bite everything he can.
Every few minutes I am being attacked by a speedy tumbling ball of white fluff. And this concept of being “attacked” brings me to the reason why I’m introducing lil Cap to you.
I don’t like conflict. Even with a puppy (but much much less with humans). Sometimes when Cap goes at me with those sharp little teeth, I just yell at my mom to come and correct him for me.
It’s a golden retriever tendency to avoid conflict. And 50% of me is completely golden retriever (According to the Dr. Gary Smalley personality test, which I’ve found surprisingly accurate).
To be honest, I’ve allowed the fear of being attacked hold me back at times. If I don’t speak up, I won’t have to argue. If I don’t push against fear, then fear won’t push back even more against me.
Do you dislike conflict too? Has the fear of being attacked or scorned factored into your choices?
I’m an introvert who likes peace, but I also know there is a time that the only way to reach peace is through conflict.
During the past 3+ years of living with roommates, I’ve had many many great roommates, but I’ve also struggled with some roommates who liked to create conflict. But living with difficult roommates taught me to start drawing lines. Some people take and take far more than you offered to give. Boundaries give you the freedom to give without being stolen from or taken advantage of.
Don’t fear establishing fair boundaries or speaking up about a recurring problem. It’s not a matter of attacking back. It’s a matter of defending yourself and diffusing the power others unfairly try to place over you.
The anti-fear song for today is The Breakup song by Francesca Battistelli. I love the spunk in this song.
Fear, you don’t own me
There ain’t no room in this story
And I ain’t got time for you
Telling me what I’m not
Like you know me well guess what?
I know who I am
I know I’m strong
And I am free
This is the whole point. We have to be willing to face the conflict and potential attacks that will come when we breakup with fear.
This morning I started reading Joshua. The transition from Moses to Joshua is a little rough. The people have depended on Moses forever and with his death, they are left a little uncertain. Joshua is in charge now (I do not envy him).
God knew the trials, conflict, struggles, and difficulties Joshua would face as a leader. I love the first few verses in Joshua 1. After God picks Joshua and gives him the job, He tells him again and again to “be strong and of good courage.”
Verse 9 says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Like Joshua, God has chosen us out for a specific task. It’s not going to be easy. There’s going to be conflict and attacks and struggles. But we can cling to the same promise God gave Joshua. He’s with us and He’ll remind us, again and again, to not be afraid.
Be strong and courageous.
Over and over again, God tells us “do not be afraid.” Because He’s on our side, we can step out boldly and fearlessly, knowing He has our back. It’s time to break up with fear. We don’t have any room in our story for fear to clutter up our time or hold back our dreams. Let’s live fearlessly.
