Over the past year both of our dogs have grown and
experienced changes in their personalities. Our dog Kari used to be very
nervous around strange dogs. Walks became tense because she would growl
whenever we encountered another dog. Beamer, on the other hand, had never met a
stranger he didn’t want turn into a friend. Regardless of size or breed, he
just knew that this would be his next best buddy.
Recently we took the dogs to a nearby pet store.
There were many other dogs there at the time. I noticed differences in the
responses our dogs had during this trip. Although I was still quite
apprehensive, Kari wanted to befriend every dog she came upon. I had to
struggle to restrain her when other dogs were a bit skittish and shy. She just
wanted to sniff and lick. There was not
a trace of the defensiveness and growling that had been evident the year
before. Beamer was his usual friendly self to most dogs, but he became
protective of Kari and he was also somewhat territorial with select dogs. There
were even a few dogs to which he growled before they even came near.
Considering this odd turn of events, I thought about
the past year. We have now had Kari for nearly two years. During that time she
has become more comfortable and secure in many ways. She has also had more
contact with other dogs and realizes that they can be fun to play with.
Beamer has been with us nearly four years and has
always been pretty comfortable and easy going. He has become a bit more
territorial since we adopted his sister and new dogs have moved into the neighboring
houses and yards. He still enjoys playing with other dogs, but seems a bit more
cautious and selective than before.
Similar changes in character can be seen in our
spiritual lives. Someone who is newer to the family of God can still be very
apprehensive of trusting people. Past experiences can greatly hinder trust. As
this relationship with the Lord deepens, a new trust in God will be developed. “But
I trusted in, relied on, and
was confident in You, O Lord; I said, You are my God.” (Psalm
31:14 AMP) It
may take a while for this trust to be extended to others around us. Trusting the
Almighty God who has limitless, unconditional love can be easier than extending
that trust and vulnerability to people who can, and occasionally will, let you
down. Barriers and walls require time to crumble. But as healing takes place in
the heart, and Christian brothers and sisters show a faithful concern and love,
those barriers will eventually crack open. The cautious believer will begin to
see the advantage and joy of sharing life with others.
“Two are better than one, because they have a good [more satisfying] reward for
their labor; For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him
who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!”
(Ecclesiastes 4:9-10AMP)
As we continue
to
grow in the Lord, we also grow in wisdom and understanding. We learn to hear
the voice of the Lord more accurately as we spend more time in His word. “Hear
instruction and be wise, and do not refuse or neglect it.” (Proverbs
8:33 AMP) We
become more aware of true love and acceptance, while at the same time being
able to identify counterfeits that could easily lead us astray. Jesus
instructed His disciples as he sent them out, “Behold, I am sending you out like
sheep in the midst of wolves; be wary and
wise as serpents, and be innocent (harmless, guileless, and without falsity) as
doves. Be on guard against men [whose way or nature is to act in opposition to
God]; ” (Matthew 10:16-17a AMP) We may even take
younger Christians under our wings to provide safety and guidance as they begin
their walk with the Lord. This will cause our protectiveness to increase.
Although we will still look for opportunities to serve and fellowship with
others, we will also be ready to defend against harmful intruders. Jesus referred to this in a prayer to His
Father. “While I was with them, I kept and preserved them in Your Name [in the knowledge and worship of
You]. Those You have given Me I guarded and
protected, and not one of them has perished or is lost...” (John 17:12 a AMP)
Both Kari, in becoming more trusting and Beamer, in becoming more
protective and watchful, have shown growth in finding their place in our
family. As you walk in the family of
God, may you also find growth and change in your life. Trust and discernment are both valuable. May you increase in both as you increase in
the knowledge of Jesus Christ.
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