Worn Out with Worry

     Our ten-month-old black Cocker Spaniel has a problem with worry. Yes, she's an adorable bundle of energy and fun, but then she'll hear something, stop, and her eyes will dart back and forth while her long, curly ears perk up and the fun is over. She either begins frantically barking and running or if we are on a walk, she'll tuck her tail and try to pull me home. 

    What would cause such a constant fight or flight trigger in such a well cared for and loved puppy? We were having a cement patio removed from the backyard, to put in new pavers, when she was just a few months old. My husband had her on a leash in the front yard to get her away from the jackhammer pounding away in the backyard. Suddenly, they were both startled by a loud crashing sound, a worker had dumped a huge chunk of cement into the back of their metal trailer to hall away later. The trailer was hooked up to a large work truck parked in our front driveway. 

    Our dog broke loose and ran down the street, stopping briefly (probably wondering where to go now) and my husband was able to snag her leash. Since this event, several months ago, she is fearful of ALL trucks, strange noises, and many other things that we don't even hear or see. Now, I've been able to easily train her with treats to respond to a number of commands, but what I can't "untrain" is her fear. Any attempt now to go to the park or walk outside of our home causes her to stress out. She begins panting, pulling at the leash to return to the house or car, and barking, barking, and barking some more. She gets worn out with worry. 

    It occurred to me, that not unlike our dog, I have unexplained fears that cause me to become worn out with worry too. Many of my worries are not even founded in facts, just feelings and thoughts that have caused my mind and body to become stressed out. Somewhere along the journey of my life, a "loud crash" occurred in one area or another, and I haven't been able to get my rational mind to come to grips with the situation causing my fear and eventual worry. 

    I read in this month's Guidepost magazine about a mother trying to get her young son to jump into the water and he said he couldn't because he was afraid. She responded calmly, "Okay, then, do it afraid." For me and maybe for you, we need to "untrain" ourselves from some fearful experiences and just "do it afraid." If some of these fears are not labeled as the bullies they are in our lives, we will be so worn out with worry that we won't have the energy to live out our present lives. 

    Author and pastor, Rick Warren, wrote that God encourages Christians to "fear not" 365 times in the Bible. I haven't counted the number of "fear not" or "worry about nothing" verses in the Bible, but the following verses have always encouraged me in times of stress and uncertainty: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God" (Philippians 4:6); "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own" (Matthew 6:34); and "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?" (Luke 12:25). 

    I've also heard it said that "you can't worry and worship at the same time," which reminds me to spend much more time expressing my gratitude, thankfulness, happiness, and joy. The energy I've used in the past on unproductive worry can be refocused on creating a brighter today by looking for God's miracles, big and small, all around me. Then, rather than being worn out with worry, I can be a wise woman walking in faith and worshiping God. 

Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.

                                            Our American Cocker Spaniel just after grooming.