It has been a few years since we lost our sweet weimaraner. He started having issues from being sick as a puppy and went downhill quickly over a few months. We were heart broken. I didn’t know I could love a dog so much. After that, I wasn’t sure I would want another pet. The what ifs of their health. The inevitable loss.
My husband understood and was kind and patient. We eventually started talking about a pet again. Even though we know they won’t be with us long enough, we know there is great love in the time we share now.
The unconditional love of a pet is something we didn’t want to miss out on. When I saw his photo, I knew. We welcomed Oliver to the family last week.
How easily the what ifs can make us miss out on wonderful things in life. The worries and the fear of the unknown. Those fears of what might happen in the future rob us of the joy of now. We miss out.
“Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” {Matthew 6:27}
I am guilty of being a worrier. It is my personality, I guess. I get anxious about things. Believe me, it is something I am working on. What better time than the start of a fresh new year to set aside the worries and live to the fullest, the way He wants us to live!
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” {Matthew 6:34}
God loves us so much and He wants us free. Really free. Holding on to fear and worry isn’t being free.
“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” {1 Peter 5:7}
The present . . . right now . . . is a gift. It is all a gift. He wants us to enjoy the gift of the present. We miss out on so much when we resist His blessings. He is raining down blessing upon blessing right now. I don’t want to miss that.
We can come to Him with prayer and thanksgiving. He is faithful to provide. Fully trust Him. Next time those worries and fears creep in . . . replace them.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy –think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me — put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” {Philippians 4:6-9}
Yes, think about these things.
The God of peace will be with you. He always has been. He always will be.
Live unafraid. Embrace the peace that comes from focusing on Him.
Walk by faith. Live by faith. Don’t miss out. Don’t waste a single moment.
by Jennifer {StudioJRU}
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Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Jennifer,
I am a worrier as well. Having an anxiety disorder doesn’t help, either. Oh Oliver…I love his big soulful and loving eyes! I would have brought him home in an instant as well!! Can you tell I’m a dog lover?? You are right, God doesn’t want us to miss out on life because of fear and anxiety. He promises us His wonderful and all-surpassing peace when we take hold of His righteous right hand and step out in faith. Praying, along with you, that this year I can, in God’s strength, step out more in faith and less in fear. Help us to keep our eyes and minds fixed on what is pure, lovely, and true. Thanks for the encouragement this am and give Oliver a loving hug from me…welcome!
Blessings,
Bev
Jennifer {StudioJRU} says
How exciting to go ahead this new year stepping out more in faith and less in fear! Yes! And I will certainly give Oliver a loving hug from you… thank you!
Mary says
Thank you. These words were a timely reminder.
Jennifer {StudioJRU} says
Grateful to hear that, Mary. Blessings to you!
A says
Jennifer, thank you for this deep encouragement today. It lifts my heart as I go through a deep season of healing and loneliness to be reminded to keep my focus on the One who loves me without end and calls me to have faith in Him, His timing, and His plan. May He bless you and your family each day in HIs grace :0
Jennifer {StudioJRU} says
I will pray for you today, A, as you heal through only the love and peace He can provide!
LaToya Brown says
Jennifer, these words as Mary commented, are a timely reminder for me as well. Thank you.
Jennifer {StudioJRU} says
Thank you so much, LaToya! Grateful to know they were timely for you as well!
Connie O says
Thank you Jennifer, enjoyed reading this article very much! Oliver will bring another loving chapter of companionship in your life you won’t regret! Thank God you did it!
Jennifer {StudioJRU} says
Thank you so much, Connie! “Another loving chapter”… love that!
Jennifer Jones says
Thank you for your post! I am a worrier too, but I have made a commitment to live the life God gives us in the present and not worry about the things I cannot control. Congratulations on your new pet. They never take the place of the one before, but they all have a way of making us feel better when we need it.
Blessings,
Jennifer
Jennifer {StudioJRU} says
What a wonderful commitment for this new year, Jennifer! Praying for your journey to live in the present and not worry so much!
Veronica says
Hi Jennifer. Remember in the movie Jerry Maguire when Renee’s character says to Jerry, “you had me at hello!” Well, you had me at Oliver’s photo. 🙂 Oh, those sweet eyes! Congratulations on the newest addition to your family. No doubt, he will bring so much joy to you all. Dogs are such a rich blessing. Thank you, this was wonderful encouragement this morning. I also struggle with worry, and each day He patiently shows me that He is faithful and that His timing is perfect. God bless.
Jennifer {StudioJRU} says
Thank you so much, Veronica! You are so sweet! 🙂 So, so grateful for all that patience He shows us daily!
Penny says
Jennifer,
I’m sorry about the loss of your companion, I know how devastating that can be. I’m glad that you decided to get Oliver so he can have a loving home, you never know where he’d be if you hadn’t.
Whenever I let my worries go and trust them with the Lord I can feel that sense of peace come over me, like the calm after the storm, so comforting.
Thank-you for reminding us, ‘Do not be afraid for God is with us’.
Penny
Jennifer {StudioJRU} says
Oh yes, Penny! That wonderful sense of peace from fully trusting Him. Nothing like it! Thank you!
Nancy Wolfe @ livingcenter.me says
Worry and fear are so often defended as “discernment.” We need to get over ourselves.
And, when Jesus says, “Don’t be afraid,” the right response is “OK, thanks,” … not… “I’ll just check, because, you know, you might have missed something.”
God is so so big. Shame on us for doubting His power and His love.
And, BTW – I’m looking right square in the mirror as I write this.
Love to you, my sisters…xoxox
Jennifer {StudioJRU} says
You have it exactly correct, Nancy! He is so big and we should have no doubts about His power and love! Thank you so much for sharing!
JeanneTakenaka says
Jennifer, what a great post. I confess, I tend to be a worrier too. One verse God gave me years ago was Philippians 4:8. That whole thinking on whatever is true? Yeah, that was the part of the verse I camped on for months. Memorizing the verse, thinking through what it meant, and where my thoughts should be.
I loved your thoughts here. We can’t dwell on the what if’s that fear tries to implant in our thoughts. We need to hand them over to the Lord and trust Him to take care of us. I needed this reminder today. Thank you.
Jennifer {StudioJRU} says
Yes, Jeanne! Replace those worries with all those important things we should “think about”. It makes such a difference, doesn’t it? Thank you for sharing!
Rebecca Jones says
There is always someone or something who needs our love. I think everybody is concerned about getting a new dog. But God would rather His children care for a pet rather that shelter. Losing my poodle Cozy, was hard. I believe Jesus was there with her when I could not be. He sister, Candy, lived to be 15, I rocked her and asked Jesus to take her at 1:30 a.m. on Labor Day, He did. We have a sweet Yorkie named Kol, she kneels to pray. I taught the poodles, but,she just knew. I have to agree, fear and worry is not discernment. Knowing Jesus came to die and conquered death is wisdom. Only that love conquers fear….the devil kills,steals and destroys. Jesus took back Adam’s authority and gives it to us. Death was was never God’s idea, mercy was. Keep loving those little gifts from God.
Jennifer {StudioJRU} says
You are exactly right, Rebecca… only love conquers fear! And how adorable is it that your sweet Kol kneels to pray?! Precious!
Marisela Delgado says
Hi, Jennifer! I saw that picture of your baby pooch and I just had to read your article. I know exactly how you feel. I am a worrier, too. The Lord has really been patiently working with me about it. It’s hard sometimes especially when you’re wired that way. I keep trying. * In March of 2015, we had to put our beagle named Monster to sleep. (Monster was indicative of the puppy that he was. ha-ha) I know it’s easy to say,”Well, he was 13 and a half years old,” when he was more than just a dog. Era mi nino. He was my little boy. The day that I made the decision that the time had come, he kept following me through the house as if wanting to make eye contact with me. He always had a way of communicating with me that way. I refused to because I felt like I was betraying him, making calls to the vet to arrange the process. I finally started crying and turned to look him in the eyes. It was as if he was telling me, “Mama, I don’t feel good. Help me, mama.” I held him through the whole process until life left his little body. We had him buried in our back yard, at home with us, where he belongs.
I cry as I write these words. He was more than a pet. HE WAS MY LITTLE BOY. HE WAS MY CHILD. I still cry and I miss him every day. I say my prayers out in my backyard so every night I talk to him. He used to stand out there with me as I prayed and he still does now. Our neighbor’s dog, as cute as he may be, wandered into our yard when we left the gate open and my anxiety went through the roof! I went into panic mode because all I wanted was for him to leave, to get out, to get away from my little boy’s yard. I wanted no other dog near me or near my little boy’s gravesite. When the dog left, I cried. I cried at New Year’s Eve, too. Just like 2015 was slipping out of my hands forever, it was taking my Gordo (nickname) with it.
Maybe one day I will love again. For right now, I can’t.