What’s in my kitchen sink?

Thy Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalms 119:105

Hamburgers sizzled on the stove. My mind was on the movie I’d just watched. I picked up a cup and placed it in the dishwasher. Reaching back into the sink, I reeled my hand back in horror. There was something furry in my sink.

I willed myself to look again. Feet. I was sure I saw feet.

I bolted for the door. Moments later, smothering my cat in my arms, I whimpered, “What are we going to do? What are we going to do?”

I tried to regain my composure, to get the courage to verify what was in my sink–I was alone in the house and bumping against the edges of my anxiety.

I wondered how bad a mouse would stink if I went to a hotel for the rest of the week while my husband was traveling overseas?

But what if I left and then came back and the mouse was gone? The potential for a wet drowned mouse running around my house brought fresh sobs.

About this point, I realize I needed help. So, I swallowed my pride and texted a friend.

I think there’s a mouse in my sink

Her reply? I’ll be there in five minutes. I’ll bring everything I need.

Thank you, Jesus, for a friend close by in the time of need.

Minutes later my friend peeked in the sink, “Oh, he’s so cute.”

My stomach lurched.

Hours later, sleep eluded me as I replayed the events of the night. Really, Nancy, you’re undone by something less than .5% of your size? 

I opened my Bible and read, “The LORD who rescued me from the lion and the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” 1 Sam. 17:31.

God cares. I remembered all the victories over the last year—climbing a ladder and painting the top peak of a house, shaking thirty hand’s within an hour at Toastmasters, and not using hand sanitizer.

The LORD who rescued me from fear of heights, the LORD who rescued me from fear of germs–that same God will rescue me from my fear of mice.

I doubt the Psalmist found a dead mouse in Psalms 119:105-112, but something had him undone too. Instead of giving into thoughts of self-pity, or discouragement, he sets his mind on the truth of God’s Word.

1. He prays God’s promises. “Give me life according to your word!”
2. He praises God. “Accept my freewill offering of praise.”
3. He asks God to teach him. “Teach me your rules.”

What fears are you facing today?

Maybe they are small ones like little furry rodents. I find that often the size of my fear doesn’t match the size of my situation.  That’s the funny thing about fear—it’s not rational. I’m learning, little situations deserve a little attention.

Or maybe it’s a biggie–health problems or worrying about your child?  Big or small, no matter the trigger, we don’t want to live from a place of fear. I’m so glad that the size of our fear never matches the size of God. 

3 Steps When You Bump into the Edges of  Anxiety

1. Pray God’s promises. Here’s the verse I used. “The LORD who rescued me from the lion and the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” If you type, “Fear Bible verses,” in a search engine lots of verses will pop up to choose from. 
2. Praise God. I’m thankful for a friend who met me in my mess
3. Ask God. Ask Him to help you and teach you. I realized I needed to learn how to set mouse traps and make it a goal to empty them–one day. Thankfully, that day isn’t today. All six traps are still empty. Phew!

But just because I am living in a mouse-free zone today, I realize I’m probably going to bump into the borders of my fear again. When I do, I’m thankful for the promises of God’s Word.