THUNDER Shirts

Submission VS Rebellion

“For forty years, I was angry with that generation; I said, They are a people whose hearts go astray, and they have not known my ways… They shall never enter my rest.” Psalm 95:10-11

I had a great time with some of my facebook friends yesterday. We were joking about all the pet problems we have. One being our pets’ fear of loud noises. Someone suggested a Thunder Shirt. My dog, Tina, hates loud noises but loses her mind with thunder and fireworks.

A straight jacket would probably suit her better.

This last 4th of July she tried to dig her way through my kitchen floor. All the while I was trying to calm her down.

“Tina, what ARE you doing? There’s no way you’re gonna dig through ceramic tile. I’m right here beside you. You’re gonna give yourself a heart attack. It’s alright girl. You’re safe with me. In fact you’re safer here than falling into the basement. That might kill you.”

It occurred to me this morning during my quiet time with God that I’m more like Tina than I want to admit. The last couple of years have resembled what I imagine Tina feels during one of her episodes.

I’ve attempted to dig a few craters myself.

Have you moved heaven and earth exhausting yourselt to figure out, fix, manipulate, or force your own agenda? What I’ve found during my own pit-digging experiences was nothing but frustration, depression and anxiety. Joy and peace became invisible in my life.

I had dug one big empty hole after another going nowhere.

Looking back I believe God was right there with me saying, “Cindy, what ARE you doing? There’s no way you’re gonna dig yourself out of this problem. I’m right here. You’re gonna give yourself a heart attack. It’s alright girl. You’re safe with me. In fact you’re safer here than falling into the pit you’re digging yourself into, and it will surely kill you.”

God has used this little dog to teach me s
o many life lessons. Rebellion is the desire to want things our way and when it doesn’t work out, we lose it. Submission is trusting God to work out everything in his way and timing. It’s having the peace and joy of knowing that in the end, He’ll work it all out for our betterment.

“When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your love, O Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.” Psalm 94:18-19

So perhaps I need to look into a Thunder Shirt for myself. Next time fireworks go off and I feel like digging myself a pit, I’ll be cozy, cool, collected and calm.

Canis Fidelis
Unknown

He is your friend, your defender, your dog.
You are his life, his love.
He will be yours, faithful and true,
to the last beat of his heart.
You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.