The Barking Dog

Why fear is needed in the world today.

As it has become one of my early morning routines to go jogging after our family devotion, in my local community. I went out on this day not very motivated; my physical strength was speaking against my mind as I was literally being lunged forward on every step by my mind over my body. This internal battle was going on within me when I encountered a malnourished looking puppy barking angrily in front of me.  I felt capable enough to handle the situation because it was a puppy, but then I prayed quietly that her parents were not around the corner. No sooner had I muttered that prayer than I saw a big fiercely-looking dog running towards me. It was very early in the morning and the street was lonely, only a few vehicles were moving and that meant that there was no hope for a rescuer; the moving vehicles didn’t care so much to stop and help this poor girl. At that point, I was faced with two decisions: to listen to the voices and trembling within me that cried, ‘run for your life!’ knowing fully well that I am a terrible runner and couldn't possibly outrun a dog, or to apply the technique I had learned a long time ago about how to confront barking dogs, that is, by standing up to the dog boldly and shunning it.

This dog was angrily barking and jumping at me in an attempt to bite me; in fact, it bit me lightly on my thigh. My heart was in my mouth; I was given a chill to my bones. It was a good thing it couldn’t read my mind beyond the tough façade I tried to put on my face because it would have been aware that I was utterly harmless and was at its mercy, hence it would have taken advantage of my vulnerability. At that point, I understood that running away would have meant having an even more pathetic experience because not only would it have caught me and bitten me multiple times, more so, I would have faced the worst embarrassment of my life and probably would have had to visit the hospital for treatment and wasted funds. So I decided to stand up to that dog, shooing it away with a fake expression of toughness on my face, until it gave up on me. And of course, I didn’t take the same route on my way back, haha!

At that point when I had to make a decision, I was faced with two dimensions of fears: the fear of being bitten once if I stayed with that dog, and the fear of being bitten multiply times if I attempted to run away from the situation.

I had to choose which fear to act wisely, and I had to do it fast!

We set ourselves up for more disastrous circumstances when we act impulsively on our fears rather than reason. Acting negatively to fear would have been if I decided to run away from that dog; it wouldn’t have made the outcome any less terrible, rather it would have attracted even more adverse consequences. It would have satisfied my emotions at the moment, but would also have left the situation in a worse state.

I think of fear as a significant entity in the world because it keeps so many things intact until a permanent solution is given to our desolate world when God would replace everything with a new infallible world forever.

Much of the message going on today says, do not fear, while that has its own place, I am not here to preach the same message; rather, I am here to tell you to choose your fear wisely- fear God and keep His commandment!

Our emotions have been given to us by God not to act on every single impulse, but to master it and channel it in the right direction. For example:

It is the fear of being burnt that would keep a child who rejects instructions away from fire. It is the fear of the penalty attached to breaking laws that would keep lawless people from transgressing, or at least reduce the crime rate until their hearts are finally changed by God. After all, it is scriptural to submit to authority to avoid being punished.

Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.

1 Peter 2:13‭-‬14 NIV

A measure of fear is needed to connect with the world around us, but such fear should not gain mastery over us as children of God. The fear we have for God is a reverential fear that flows out of an acknowledgment of His Majesty and awesomeness.

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.

Hebrews 12:28 NIV

Without fear, the unrecreated human nature is bound to take certain things for granted and rebel against God.

The law of Moses was given in order that every mouth may be shut; when men come to an acknowledgment of their sinful nature and the judgment that ensues, and hence be led into repentance.

Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God.

Romans 3:19 NIV

Some people run to God, not necessarily because they are compelled by His loving-kindness but because of the terror of impending judgment. While that may not be the best approach to salvation, it is the only way that some people’s attention can be drawn to God’s loving-kindness, but it is expected that such people do not build their service and devotion to God based on the fear of judgment, for perfect love cast out all fears. Rather, they are to grow into having a fear for God that stems out of love and commitment to his will.

A very good example is seen in the residence of Covid-19 in the world today. We have heard of some people who only took cognizance of the supremacy of God at the emergence of Covid-19 when death seemed to be at everyone’s doorstep. Such people only remembered that there is a God we are accountable to when they came to a realization that the world is under subjection to the one who created it.

We find that the negative aspect of fear is also good for a lawless world, but we are not meant to remain under its bondage forever; we ought to overcome it by faith in God!

Once a person receives the love of God, such fear is translated into a reverential fear, not because of the emerging consequences, but out of the overwhelming love that he/she has received; hence such love is channeled to others out of an overflow.

Every other fear must fade away until only the fear of God remains in our lives!