I felt like a traitor luring my standard poodle into my vet’s lab room. I did it to save his life. But Max didn’t know that. Did he think I was heartless to let the vet draw blood from his thin leg—again?
For months after we learned Max has Addison’s disease, the vet had to draw his blood to check his electrolyte and hormone levels. One week Max refused to go with the technician. So instead of handing her the leash, I followed her, and he followed me.
Max’s trust in me made me consider the conditions I’ve put on fully trusting God in painful situations. I’ve thought if only I knew the purpose of my pain then I’d be able to trust God better. But was that true?
Imagine me explaining Max’s condition to him. I could read him the symptoms off the Internet. I could show him his lab reports. I could remind him how he almost died. But would that help Max have his blood drawn?
I understand the treatment of Max’s illness better than he does. I know the pain of the needle is brief and the benefits are lasting. How much more does God understand my trials?
Sometimes God allows me to see the benefit of my pain. But some 'whys' remain unanswered. @DebbieWWilson #RechargeWednesday Click To TweetIsaiah 55:8-9 says, “‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts’” (NIV).
The difference between my thoughts and my dog’s is so much less than the distance between God’s thoughts and mine. If Max can’t understand why I have his blood drawn, do I think I can understand why God takes me through pain and loss?
But God has not left me without assurance. He has promised:
- “For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison” (2 Cor. 4:17 NIV).
- “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Rom. 8:18 NIV).
Life on this planet is a vapor. But how we live here affects our eternity. Pain, loss, and confusion are opportunities to trust our Master. The pain is real, but if He allows it then we know it is to benefit us. As God’s child I can’t shed a hair without God noticing.
Pain, loss, and confusion are opportunities to trust our Master. The pain is real, but if God allows it then we know it is to benefit us. @DebbieWWilson #RechargeWednesday, #trust Click To TweetWhen I see Max romp across the yard without a symptom of Addison’s, I thank God for blood tests and shots. I remember how sick he was without them. He doesn’t understand the connection. He doesn’t need to. Max only needs to know that I take care of him.
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?” (Romans 8:31 NASB)
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What a beautiful analogy. It really does make the connection for us to understand how very much God loves us and how He knows what is best for us!! Our good good Father!
April, God has used Max’s illness many times to give me glimpses of His love. He ia a good, good Father.
This is a beautiful analogy and one I needed to be reminded of this morning. May I always trust God for He knows best, and all He does is good and for my good. Blessings!
Joanne, I’m glad God encouraged you today. Blessings to you too!
Love it when you write about your dogs!
And I’ve been in Isaiah 55 a lot lately, reminding myself that the reason I need the seek after God is found in the verse you shared today: I need an infusion of right thinking!
Michele, don’t we all need that “infusion of right thinking”? What a great place to get it.
I’m glad Max is better now. I love how God can teach us lessons about himself through SO many different avenues. And dogs are some of the best. 🙂
Thank you, Lisa. After he was so sick we don’t take his health for granted.
Great analogy! laurensparks.net
Thank you, Lauren!
What a great way to illustrate our walk with God. Even when we don’t see the good in what is going on, we need to follow anyway and trust that he has only what is beneficial for us in mind!
Tracey, I like to understand, and it’s taken me a while to realize trust not understanding brings peace. He’s got it!
Glad your Max is okay! This is a wonderful analogy. So much peace in trusting God He is taking care of us. Thanks Debbie!
Thank you, Bethany!
Oh, the ways and means God’s uses to teach us and reveal Himself to us! He can, indeed, be found by us in so many different ways…if we but look.
Thanks for sharing to help us see Him more.
Amen, Debbra. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing this encouraging perspective Debbie! It speaks to my heart and reminds me how much God treasures our trust — especially in painful experiences.
Joy, I hadn’t thought about how our trust would bless Him as my dog’s touched me.
Debbie, what a powerful analogy and so well said! I didn’t know dogs could get Addison’s. But my vet tries to tell me that my beloved dogs can come down with about everything humans do.
Max is blessed to have you to care for him and make the best decisions for him. And as you so beautifully said, we are blessed to have God care for us and make decisions in our best interest. For His thoughts and ways are so much higher.
Karen, loving and caring for Max has taught me so many lessons. Thank you for sharing yours too.
I’m glad Max is doing well! Yes, we can so trust in the One who always wants us to follow and rest in Him no matter the circumstances!
Amen, Lynn!
My dog has been sick and I don’t think she has been before. After baby aspirin and children’s cough syrup didn’t work, she went to the vet, it was upper respiratory infection. I can give her pills in cheese but getting a liquid antibiotic takes two people, a 10 lb yorkie is suddenly a pit bully. God used this for me too, casting down imaginations, I remembered my poodle passing at 10, Kol is about to be 10, and an aunt’s dog who had bronchitis, I called about him and she replied in tears, ” We just buried him. ” I said I was sorry and hung up. Those old fears will try to crop up, He gave me peace, grace to deal with it and even more time with my poodle , and her sister lived another 51/2 years. It is true , dogs don’t live as long because they already know how to love, it takes people longer to learn.
Rebecca, I’m glad God extended the life of you poodle. They mean so much to us. I hope your Yorkie feels better soon!