I used to enjoy going hiking in the mountains with my Miniature Daushund ( a little hot dog). She always enjoyed going places with me. I usually packed a lunch, one for me and one for her when we went hiking. As we walked she always spent a lot time stopping and sniffing…they have a big nose and like to do that sorta thing. Sometimes, I took my hammock and after lunch I would tie it up between two trees and we would take about a 30 minute nap.I would wake up and she would be snoring and sound asleep. After the nap, I would pack up and then we would hike back to my car.

Upon this occasion, as we went down the trail… we encounter about a dozen turkeys. She was shocked and startled and didn’t know what to do. Then she ran toward them barking ferociously ( I guess this was a valiant effort to protect me ) . She got within about 30 yards of them and then they spread open their feathers. This action made them look much larger. Surprised and terrified, she imediately turned around and ran as fast as she could right back to me, then she got behind me in a safer location and stated barking again. The turkeys began to flap their wings and ran towards us, I stood still with my little dog, was now shaking like leaf in a windstorm. Just before they reached us, they slowly gained enough speed to barley lift up into the air like a big airplane taking off… and then flew right over us. She looked up at them in puzzled disbelief, turning her head back and forth at them and then at me, as if to see if I thought everything was okay. I nodded my head and petted her a little bit. She was good to go from that point on and went prancing down the trail and wagging her tail as if we had just conquered the universe. My dog overcame a lot of fear that day…especially with me being there, which gave her the confidence to face and overcome her fear.

How much more, should you and I have confidence in facing our fears with God at our side? Don’t let let your fears get the best of you. Face your fears with God at your side. He is always there for you and me. Check out these bible verses that encourage us when dealing with fears…

“I sought the Lord and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.” – Psalm 34:4 (NKJV)

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.” – 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)

“The Lord is on my side, I will not fear.” – Psalm 118:6 (NKJV)

“For I, The Lord your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, Fear not, I will help you.” – Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV)

Happy Trails to you…and watch out for those Turkeys in your life…