Today I’m featuring a guest post by friend and author Janet Perez Eckles.

Winning When Fear Attacks

by Janet Perez Eckles

“Ready, honey?” my friend scooped her fluffy puppy in her arms, put on her leash, and grabbed her husband’s hand. The three headed to the local doggie park.

But what was to be a fun outing turned out to be an ugly episode. A pit bull was having a bad day and with no reason, viciously attacked another 5-month old tiny dog. Someone had to come and pry its jaws open to release the young puppy.

My friend drew near to help. And while she held the bleeding victim in her hands, she saw the owner of the pit bull try to take off. She called out to him while she pulled her cell to call the police.

He saw that. And, with as much fury as his dog, he turned and rushed to her, spitting such obscenities that it would make your teeth curl. Then he drew closer and closer to her.

And that’s when, with one swift move, my friend’s husband appeared and with a cool, confident voice that would make John Wayne envious said. “Don’t even think about touching her.”

What a hero, what a man, what a love, wouldn’t you agree?

The man retreated, police came, and puppy was treated in the hospital. All ended well.

We’ve been there too, haven’t we? Those attacks called fear, worry and anxiety come at us, catching us like vulnerable puppies.

They arrive often–as we watch the dark events on the nightly news. When our kids take the wrong path. When the tasks are piling up. Or during doctor’s dark diagnosis.

They all leave us emotionally bleeding. And when we go to bed whimpering from the injuries, one truth resonates in the silence of night. It’s the whisper of our hero. The one who comes and brings what we need to hear. What we long to know. And what we hope to have.

He’s the most powerful hero of all—Christ who conquered the world. He shows up with His power, His reassurance and His way to lift us from danger.

So why should we fear when “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.” Psalm 46:1-3

Father, when trouble gets near, grant me the wisdom to know that you’re present. The peace to calm my nights. And the faith to know you’ll never leave me when attacks come my way.