Of late, my new favourite pastime is reading to my boys before bed. It is our bibliotherapy time. It is that exciting yet calming warm down to bedtime that they both look forward to; and with two at different ages, they both want a book each to read … no matter the length, no matter how late.
We just got a fresh stack for our bedtime library and so they were excited to have a go at it. This time they both chose the same book. Score! Only one read tonight …
Here goes … One day, three little pigs left home to build their own houses but there was a big bad wolf lurking in the woods! Can the pigs outwit the wolf and live happily ever after? Find out more in the exciting version of the classic tale: Walt Disney’s Three Little Pigs.
Do you remember the story of the Three Little Pigs? If you do, what are the main things that you remember? Does any of this sound familiar:
- The three little pigs (of course)
- The big bad wolf
- Straw, sticks, and bricks
- If you don't … then I'll huff, and I'll puff, and I'll blow your house in
Well, isn’t that life. There is never a dull moment. And isn’t that the trials and struggles of life as well? When we try to do it all on our own, we usually are left clutching at straws. When we team up with another, the outlook may be better but there still can be setbacks.
But when the “or more” in the phrase “where two or more are gathered together in my name …” (Matthew chapter 18 verses 19 to 20) actually do come together, reinforce ourselves in good counsel, and build on that solid rock … we realize that all the huffing and puffing is just air!
We are reminded that the evil one cannot overpower us. Which means he literally has no power over us. But what he will do if we are not mindful is outwit us. Yes, outwit … it is a matter of strategy. (1 Peter chapter 5 verse 7 to 11, The Message)
So, what are you building?
First thing is first: when building something, in fact anything, you need the right foundation. What is yours?
Here are some steps to get you building on the right foundation and overcoming the fear of external forces by focusing on two things you can control:
#1. Your integrity
Knowing who God says you are, will, ultimately put yourself in perspective for you. (1 John chapter 4 verse4)
What I mean by that is your foundation starts with a decision on depth, width, and marking the layout for who you really are. Who better to get that from than directly from the source?
Knowing who you are and what you stand for is necessary. Having strong morals or values and sticking to those principles in both your words and actions is that wet concrete needed to lay the foundation. Additionally, it can have a significant impact on your own mental health as well as your overall success in life.
Knowing your values helps you distinguish between what seems urgent and what is truly important. In the case of the Three Little Pigs, two of the three pigs placed urgencies on dancing and singing. While the other pig was very wise and placed his focus on what was tremendously important – building a strong house of bricks.
#2. Your people
Marlene Dietrich said, “It’s the friends you can call up at 4 a.m. that matter.” And I strongly believe that.
Now what does that have to do with overcoming the fear of external forces you may ask. Well, a true friend accepts who you are, but also helps you become who you should be. That one little pig, you know, the wise one that built his house from bricks, explicitly told his friends/ brothers that “I’ll be safe, and you’ll be sorry.” But even after all that, when they came running after the big bad wolf had blown down both their houses, he accepted them and told them that they were now safe. (Ecclesiastes 4 verse 12)
In this life, you always have a choice. What you choose to do and who you choose to associate with is entirely up to you. But choose wisely, because the more disconnected we are, the more fearful we become.
Therefore, choose to surround yourself with people of integrity, people who know how to enjoy life, and people who are not afraid to call you out on your “crap” but will still offer you a hand of support when needed. But be reminded that there are no perfect people, and hence no perfect relationships. And like the two pigs, always choose that person who will amid your turmoil “play a happy little jig” and allow you to borrow from their strength.
Note to self …
In the end, it is the design of your foundation that will transmit combined dead load (your own habits, family traits, etc.), imposed load (the differing seasons of life), and wind load (the random huff and puffs of life) to the ground.
Simply put it is your inner relationship with God, the hidden part of the structure, that will offer you a sturdy base and security system to stand against outside forces Aka. the big bad wolf. And because we were all created for community, it is the outer relationships with people that will provide you the support system needed to cheer you on as you overcome or drown him out … even when he comes dressed up in sheep’s clothing.
Remember to #trust #align #rest in the Lord …