Fear and gophers – a tale of courage and empowerment

It’s true. I have gophers in my backyard.

My backyard wall, (walls are common around houses in Arizona), backs up to a shallow ravine, commonly called a “wash” in neighborhoods like mine. I love the privacy the wash provides between my home and the neighbors’ homes. My neighbors can’t see me on my patio in my pajamas!

However, the downfall of living by a wash can be an invasion by what I call my “creatures from the black lagoon” – gophers.

Gophers live most of their lives in underground burrow systems they have dug. They will occasionally venture above ground to feed on plants close to the burrow entrance. They are certainly not as charming and lovable as my rabbits and song birds.

When I first discovered their holes and dirt mounds near the wall, I was so fearful of their invasion into my manageable, well-kept little backyard, with my lovely geraniums and faux green grass. I know it’s silly, but I was afraid to encounter a gopher face to face. Fear of even going near their territory soon became an obstacle to enjoying my backyard.

Finally, I woke up one morning and decided enough of these mind games. I was not going to let fear of the unknown rule me. I was determined to overcome these creatures who, I thought, were perched in the bushes ready to jump out and scare me at any time.

I put on my brave, courageous, self, my cowgirl boots for protection, my oversized work gloves, and with a long-handle shovel, marched into the backyard saying in a loud voice over and over, “Lord, you and I can do this together. Help me overcome my fear!” I poked the holes and the mounds, just daring a gopher to show his furry face. I flattened the mounds and covered the holes with dirt. I faced my fear head on with courage and felt empowered.

Yes, I still have gophers, but my fear of them has been conquered.

My gopher story may sound silly, but it was a very real picture of the many times I’ve prayed for God to help me face my fears with courage. Since Bill died, God has given me the courage and boldness to face the fears of:

The unknown.

Loneliness.

Stepping out of my comfort zone.

“What if” for the future.

Another major life change.

Many times in the middle of the night or when I wake up in the morning I can be gripped with fear over some real or imagined hurdle that feels overwhelming. Can you relate?

Fear might clutch your heart and flood your mind and emotions as you face:

Losing your home.

Losing a job.

Moving.

A serious illness.

An addiction.

A severed marriage.

A broken relationship.

You and I can control our fear or let our fear control us. It’s as simple as that, but it’s not always easy. Many a day I have to release my fear and give it over to God through prayer, perseverance, courage, and sheer determination to not let it consume me. I have to lay fear down at His feet, then stand up and move forward by His power and strength with courage.

Those of us who are uprooted by any major life change, like, death, divorce, health issues, job loss, or moving, need to face these changes as brave, bold, and courageous women. We can trust God in all things, regardless of our situation.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified….” Deuteronomy 31:6

But I have learned that fear is not of God. “For God has not given us the spirit of fear….” (2 Timothy 1:7)

All through the Bible, two little words “fear not,” encourage us and reassure us that we can trust God, regardless of our situation.

There are five reasons in Isaiah 41:10 to remind us why we should not give in to fear and discouragement. “Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you. Surely I will uphold you.…”

1. I am with you, comforts us with the assurance that we are not alone. God’s presence is with us.
2. I am your God, reminds us that He is our personal God. He cares about every detail of our lives.
3. I will strengthen you, assures us that when we feel overcome with fear, God is our strength to overcome.
4. I will help you, reminds us that God will not fail us or abandon us. He will walk with us through our fear.
5. I will uphold you, assures us that God will lift us out of the pit of fear. He will support us and keep us from sinking into despair.

And by the way, if you happen to find a gopher in your backyard, do not fear. Just give me a call. I’ll come over and we’ll conquer the critters together.

From My Heart,