Dear Chihuahua of Fear,
Aptly named are you my longstanding nemesis. As dear fellow dreaming sister Holley Gerth shared, “Fear hangs out right next to whatever it is you’re most called to do. That means the closer you get to your calling, the louder fear sounds. Keep going–fear is a chihuahua that sounds like a Doberman.”
While I am reminded today that you are merely a chihuahua in Doberman’s clothing, that loud barking of fear nonetheless scares me away all too often.
Your barking shouts:
“It’s not real this dream, it’s a dream. Dreams don’t happen – you need to grow up.”
“You can not be used by God because you’ve been used by man.”
“It’s not practical. Get your head out of the clouds.”
“You’re not good enough. Leave it to someone more capable and qualified.”
But chihuahua, guess what, the loudest one doesn’t win. In fact, God speaks even during silence. Your barking fear into this dream will not squash it any longer. Because my God whose power demolishes every stronghold does so in a still small voice. HE ONLY NEEDS A STILL SMALL VOICE!
Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him… (I Kings 19)
The Lord was not in the winds that shattered rock. The Lord was not in the earthquake. The Lord was not in the fire. The Lord was in the whisper.
I know that the power given to me by God through my faith provides me with weapons that have divine power to demolish strongholds and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God (II Corinthians 10). Your bark is just a pretense setting itself up against the knowledge of God. The knowledge of God speaks this truth to contradict your barking fear:
“The dream is mine, daughter. My dreams aren’t “real.” They are beyond real. They are more than you could ask for or imagine.”
“I speak most powerfully through those that have walked through the valley. Your history has been redeemed and your future can reflect my plan. Your redemption is all for my glory. Didn’t David cheat and kill? Didn’t Paul persecute? Didn’t Peter deny me? It is because of your scars and heartache that I can use you most effectively. ”
“Practical leaves no room for miracles. I am an impractical God. I believe in giving sight to the blind and raising the dead and shielding my children from the flames of a furnace. I revel in the impractical. I work best in impossibilities.”
“You. Are. Mine. I formed you. I made you. I know the hairs on your head. I know each day of your life. I know the plans I have for you. They are to give you a hope and a future. I have searched your heart. I am working things together for your good, beautiful one that I created.”
So chihuahua of fear, it’s time to move on. I’m calling your bluff. This dream is His and no barking will scare me away.
“Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends. (II Cor. 10)
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you…I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity… (Jer. 29)
“The Lord was in the whisper.” What a beautiful reminder that, although God is mighty and powerful enough to shout, that His small still voice is often what speaks to us — and what we must quiet the Chihuahua for, so we can listen!
So true Beth – the reason to find the quiet…
I love that He uses a still, small voice and can quiet even the loudest, most annoying fear that threatens to overtake. Blessings, dear friend, as you keep moving toward your dreams! Have a great day! 🙂
Thanks Mel – and right back at you as you speak power over fear to your dreams!
YES!!! Oh girl, that’s good stuff right there!!!
Amen, Gindi! Way to call out the lies! And that still, small voice…I love how you pointed out the power in that.
Thanks Mandy – I have to be reminded to listen past the noise into the quiet!
Love the true contrast of His still small voice and whispers with all the noise from fear.
Powerful stuff, Gindi! (said in the softest of whispers…)
Thanks team Deb!
God is in the whisper of the wind-powerful reminder! And a powerful post, thanks Gindi!
Thank you Alecia – now for me to remember it daily 🙂
LOVE this! This speaks so much to my heart. Love that verse in 1 Kings too-we must remember to listen to the still, small voice of our Lord! Thank you for writing this! It encouraged me!
Thanks Hannah – stumbling on that scripture again was such a powerful visual for me!
Gindi such a powerful word today. How precious that God speaks in the whisper. However that requires is to be still and know that He is who He is and means what He speaks. This so blessed me. Praying for your writing. Love u.
Thank you friend, praying for you too.
Oh Gindi, Thanks so much for writing this today, I needed it as it spoke to my heart and gave me reasurance to follow God’s plan for my life and to have the ability to conquer fear through God’s power. Blessings
Thanks Laura – be assured, He’s got you!
The Lord was not in the winds that shattered rock. The Lord was not in the earthquake. The Lord was not in the fire. The Lord was in the whisper. I love that you wrote that, Gindi. It is listening to the whisper that has blessed me so many times, but that means I have to be quiet and listen. Thank you for the reminder.
Love from Another God-sized dreamer,
Deborah
Thank you Deborah – it’s such a hard thing to remember, but well worth it when we do!
No barking is going to scare us off- following dreams with you!