Wolf Spiders, Arachnophobia and the Truth
Arachnophobia is a somewhat common fear. But one that my dad never possessed. He was raised on a farm with many “critters” as they would call them, and you didn’t have the luxury of fearing any animal or insect that got in your way. You just “took care of the problem” and didn’t slow down.
I was very thankful for this as a teenager when the house we lived in often had the eight legged intruder. But this wasn’t just ANY spider, it was the Wolf Spider. A large – 2 to 3 inch across, fat body, thick legs, hairy, and FAST; jumping on walls, and furniture… as they tried to escape my father’s shoe…it was every worst nightmare you can imagine for a person with arachnophobia!
This experience made me identify myself as an arachnophobic person. My bravest interaction with one of these spiders was to put a large, heavy glass bowl over it (since my parents had already gone to bed) and, of course, I put heavy books on top of the bowl (to securely trap the enemy from escaping) so that my dad could deal with the invader in the morning.
It wasn’t until I became a mom that things started to changed for me. One night, during a family holiday, the adults in our family were playing a card game as the kiddos were sleeping in the next room. Suddenly, a large eight legged infiltrator was spotted in the hallway heading towards the kids room. My father, whose back was to the spider, saw the reaction of the other adults and turned to see what was behind him. Immediately, when he spotted the threat, without any hesitation, he leaped out of his chair, dove towards the spider, smashing it with his bare hand as his body fell to the ground; just before the spider went under the door toward the sleeping children. Our family sat there with jaws dropped!
This inspired a momma-bear-bravery in me! It’s up to ME to protect my babies, my home, and take back my freedom from fear of ANY intruder. I was determined to be strong and to shed off the label I put on myself as “having arachnophobia.” And to remind myself of what’s Gods’ truth; He has not given me a spirit of fear! (2 Timothy 1:7)
What labels have you put on yourself that are not true and not from your Heavenly Father? Maybe they’re from your childhood experiences, past mistakes, sin or failures? My mom (who is in ministry) did an awesome sermon on the unhealthy and ungodly labels we put on ourselves that are NOT from God. [Feel free to listen to that awesome sermon here.]
I was blessed to be raised in a “healthy Christian home” with parents that loved me dearly, and raised me with biblical moral principles and truths. They taught me to love God, myself and others. But even so, I still struggle with defining (labeling) myself by my weaknesses, life disappointments, sins and failures.
A friend recently inspired change in my perspective (and prayer life) telling me her prayer for 2020 was, “Lord, what lies of the enemy am I believing and receiving in my mind and/or Spirit? Open my spiritual eyes to see and discern YOUR TRUTH!”
This has changed so much for me! God is showing me His definition of who I am. His definition of success in my life. He’s also showing me His truth about my marriage, my parenting, my jobs, politics, ministry, and so much more!
Therefore, whatever truth in your life you may be struggling with today, let these verses from God’s Truth encourage you:
“Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the days long.”
Psalm 25:5
“And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.”
1 John 5:20
“When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth”
John 16:13
“Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in Him, ‘If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’”
John 8:31-32
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”
3 John 1:4
How encouraging it is to know that as we are working hard to pursue truth, that our Lord has “no greater joy than to hear [His] children are walking in truth.” Especially in these confusing times – when we don’t even know who is telling the truth on the news anymore – it’s a GREAT reminder that the only GENUINE TRUTH is from our Heavenly Father.