Trust and Fences
Along the property line between my busy, urban backyard and my neighbor’s, there stands a 6-foot-tall, weathered, red fence with a single grey plank. This fence has graciously served as the backdrop for back-to-school photos over the last few years. It offers us a fraction of privacy in our neighborhood of tiny, packed lots like crayons in a box. Most importantly though, it stands faithfully between my children and the ceaselessly barking, snarling pitbull and great dane that jump and scratch behind it. There is not a moment when those dogs are outside while we are that they do not seem to make every effort to get to us. Yet, somehow, I am entirely unbothered and unworried.
I’ve come to realize that I place an inordinate amount of trust in that red, weathered fence, with its single grey plank. My children play peacefully just a few feet from often barking, snarling, and scratching dogs. We trust that fence completely. Yet, I cannot tell you how many nights I have laid in bed worrying, without realizing it, that my God cannot hold back the barking, snarling troubles in this world from destroying that which I hold dear. I lose hours of sleep, my heart racing, replaying words or actions that have come from a place of fear and hurt. I worry that their damage is irreparable, or that they are leading a pack of fierce and desperate troubles that will stop at nothing until they tear down things that I love.
Why do I trust that fence to hold firm and not my God? How can I feel at total peace watching my children meticulously position flower petals on their carefully crafted mud pies while those dogs jump and claw so nearby, and yet I can’t lie safely in bed at night embracing the perfect peace promised in scripture?
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
Anxieties, troubles, and satan’s attacks in this world are guaranteed. Understand, though, that God does not ask us to face each difficulty unbothered, or that any heartache we feel only goes to show our lack of trust and faith in Him. No, He knows our hurt and speaks words of comfort as well as wisdom to combat that hurt to lead us back to peace in each difficulty. Philippians 4 goes on to help reset our anxious thoughts.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippian 4:8
Again in Isaiah and Psalms, we hear wisdom on how to achieve that peace that transcends understanding.
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock. Isaiah 26:3-4
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me? Psalm 56:3-4
I like to believe that even if the fence did fail, the dogs would come playfully and excitedly to finally have the opportunity to join the joyful land of promise that they’ve so ceaselessly pursued. I can’t explain why even the noise doesn’t bother me. I can explain, though, that I will continue to love and trust that faithful fence because there’s nothing else fruitful I can do about what lies beyond it. I could complain to the neighbor, but that would likely harm our peaceful relationship. Those dogs bring her companionship and happiness that I think she needs. I could look at other homes, but then I’d have to leave my own red kitchen with its perfect little coffee cup hooks, my backyard playhouse, and my strawberry patch. I think I’ll keep the peace. I’ll try to place that same trust in the God who has never failed me.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart.
and lean not on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5
I’ll pray, too, for you and for me, that we can trust our God the way I trust my red, weathered fence with its single grey plank, however nonsensical it may seem to the outside world. My God has control over all those troubles. He offers me perfect peace despite them. There are things beyond my control, and I’ve been graciously given the opportunity to lift them up in prayer, and then to let them go. My red, weathered fence with its single grey plank can not even compare to the trustworthiness of our mighty God.