~My buddy Hank

Well today I thought I'd tell you about my little buckskin paint mustang named Hank. We got Hank about 4-5 years ago, from Double Rock, a ranch nearby. At first I didn't really think much of him because it was around the time that I had to get rid of my pony Hershey. After a while I finally gave Hank a chance and started riding him. I found out that I had a lot to work on. Partially because I didn't know as much then, but mainly because he had major fear issues, we assume because of abuse in the past. I started working with him, and desensitized him to a lot of things: gates, hats, flags, and ropes to name a few. I came to realize that he had fear issues because he felt he couldn't trust anyone. So I decided to be his safe spot, the one he turned to when he got scared. (Don't know if I accomplished that but he trusts me now.)
  Does that sound familiar? Isn't that a lot like our relationships with God are supposed to be? We're human. We have fears and things that scare us, but what do we do with them? God is watching us and saying "I'm here for you. I can give you peace. I'm THE safe spot. Just give your life to me and I'll show you how to deal with your problems."
 The big problem I had with Hank was when I tied him to a fence. Now he didn't have a problem with being tied. You could leave him there as long as you wanted. The problem was that he would literally flip-out if anyone climbed on the fence he was tied to. He would remember something bad that had happened before and reacted to those fears.
 As Christians we sometimes have fears that keep taking us back because we are not dealing with them properly. We don't need to "Toughen up and face it like a man." We need to "Look up and face it like a Christian that has Jesus living in their heart." He is a strong tower, a shield, a very present help in trouble, He will never leave you nor forsake you.
  Here's something else for you to think about. Is fear from God? Well there is a godly fear, Leviticus 25:17b "but thou shalt fear thy God: for I am the Lord your God." But for the most part no, fear is not from God. How do I know? 2 Timothy 1:7 says "For God hath not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." So if fear isn't from God, it must be from Satan. And if it is from Satan, isn't that sin? So what are we as Christians, professing to have God living in us, doing with fear in our lives? I believe this is something we seriously need to think about, repent of, and turn away from. God does not want us living in fear or even to have a couple fears. He tells us to "Cast all our cares upon Him. Because He cares for us." (1 Peter 5:7) He can handle it and He will if you ask Him to and truly mean it.

Since helping Hank over a lot of his fear issues I can do about anything with him. We've done fun shows, team penning, sorting, LOTS of trail riding, swimming in the pond, played around with roping, ridden bareback and bridle-less, JUMPING (my fav!), lots of tag (he really gets into that!) he's become a pro at opening and closing gates, pulled sleds, and I've ridden him english (Now that looks funny!). My younger sisters ride him mostly now. I hop on him every once in a while when I see he needs a tune up or when I just want to go for a joy ride. He is pretty much an all-around horse now, anyone can ride him. Come on over and I'll give ya a ride!