Big Dogs

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7

We’ve all seen it. A lady is walking her sweet little Yorkie when around the corner comes another lady walking a giant Siberian Husky. The tiny Yorkie suddenly begins to yap and pull against the leash as she lunges forward and turns into a bloodthirsty maniac. What would cause an otherwise perfectly well-behaved pint-sized dog to take off barking and charging when she sees a dog five times her size? 

You and I might call it suicidal, but dog experts say she may have “Small Dog Syndrome.” The small dog may appear to be going after the big dog because she is brave and confident, but the truth is she is acting this way because she is feeling very nervous, anxious, and insecure. She doesn’t know how to handle this situation. On the outside, she is all brave and ferocious, but on the inside, she is full of fear and timidity.

Life is full of “big dogs,” things that suddenly appear from around the corner to challenge us. Some of us may have “Small Faith Syndrome.” We may appear to be all brave and ferocious when trouble comes, but on the inside, we are full of fear and timidity. In Paul’s second letter to Timothy, he offers hope to those of us suffering from Small Faith Syndrome:

“God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity,” Paul writes, “but of power, love, and self-discipline.” 

The next time an insurmountable challenge appears from around the corner, remember that fear and timidity are not from God. Take courage! God has given you a spirit of love, power, and self-discipline so that you can walk calmly past the big dogs in your life.