Our Labor Day Story: Scared Puppy Runs for Life

Here came my 9 mo old, 60 lb poodle jumping against the door with a bang, bang, bang. He and Jon had gone for a walk just ten minutes earlier. I noticed the screen door was off the hinges where the puppy evidently nosed it to get in. His collar and leash were absent along with Jon. Elijah was gasping for breath and continued to look at me and then the door as if to say, “Hurry. We have to go help dad.”

 

Thinking Jon may be lying in the street somewhere and the dog pulled his head out of his collar (he has done it before) to run home for help, I immediately picked up my phone to call him. His phone rang in the kitchen. I thought, “That’s not good.” So I run to the bedroom to grab my shoes thinking Elijah will take me to him. As I am leaving, Jon is entering the house. Praise the Lord!!! Jon is okay.

 

Elijah had walked around one of those large green city trash containers and when Jon went to pull the leash over it, it caught on the barrel pulling it to the ground with a loud crash right behind the puppy. It evidently scarred the living jeebies out of him.  In fear he frantically pulled to run and broke the chain collar right in two. He ran all the way home  leaving Jon to fend for himself against the great danger that had come upon them.  Maybe he will grow into the  “protector” role.  Afterall, he is just short of 10 months old.  In any event, he certainly is not there yet.

How Can Trials Be Considered Pure Joy?

In order to count a trial as joy, we have to get to the place where we know that we know God loves us, that He is sovereign and that we can trust in His sovereign purpose. Then, although we may not feel good in the trial, we can still count it as joy because we know there is PURPOSE in it.

We look ahead beyond the trial to the promises of God. We know God works ALL things together for good according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). God uses every situation to conform us into the image of Christ (Romans 8:29) and the more like Christ we become, the more intimate relationship we experience with God. For me, I can count it all joy knowing that I am growing closer in relationship with Him.  This is the greatest of all rewards.

It also helps to remember that Jesus promised to be with us and bring us through the trial. Knowing that the trial will come to an end and that Christ is in it with us gives us hope and hope results in faith and faith results in strength for the situation. Although we may “feel” alone in our trials, we can know that we are not. Christ promises He is always with us and will NEVER forsake us.

Understand and BELIEVE there is good purpose in your trial. KNOW the trial will come to an end.  This is not all there is. REALIZE the reward for your suffering is better than any sacrifice you may experience. LEAN on Christ’s presence and be STRENGTHENED by it.  Then you will be able to persevere and count it all joy when the trials of life suddenly come upon you.