Most of you have not been formally introduced to our dog Coco. She is now five years old and a fully grown Labradoodle, all 100 pounds of her. When she was a newborn puppy the breeder assessed her personality – don’t ask me how they did it – and determined she has a very friendly demeanor, and is not aggressive.

Over the past couple of weeks Coco has demonstrated both aspects of her personality. She often lies in the doorway and looks out the storm door. Whenever someone walks past, Coco barks a friendly greeting, her tail wagging; hoping we would open the door and let her greet the passersby. Unfortunately, 100-pound dogs sing in the bass section of the doggy choir and her 100-pound bark sounds like, to the uninitiated, a ferocious guard dog. Which she is not.

When around other dogs she either plays with them or quietly ignores their presence. Responses to other species are more comical. Two weeks ago, a small green turtle, about the size of a silver dollar, found its way onto our patio. As Coco approached the turtle, it tucked its tiny head into its shell. Coco sniffed around, as if to determine what this strange object was. The turtle stuck its head out briefly, and our dog leaped backwards as if attacked by a charging rhino. Later, after the sun had gone down, I let Coco out into the backyard to do her business. She avoided the area where the turtle had been discovered, and I had to lead her back to the area to show her it was now safe, the turtle was gone.

Last week, Kathie was in the backyard with Coco when a bunny appeared on the other side of our picket fence. Coco went over to investigate, her nose sniffing at the bunny, who was motionless except for its nose sniffing. Without warning the bunny twitched its ears and Coco flew backwards as if hit by a rocket. No amount of coaxing by Kathie led to our dog approaching that area of the fence. Several hours later, when the bunny was gone, Coco cautiously investigated the area. No bunny. Safe to resume being our fearless dog.

While we might laugh at the antics of a dog, I wonder how often, when encountering something we perceive as dangerous, we become fearful. Clearly, some things are truly hazardous to our well-being. But on other occasions, our perception of a threat is amplified beyond reason. For instance, the notion of going to a dentist’s office strikes fear in some people. Or waiting for the results of a test. Or driving on an expressway.

Like a parent comforting a child fearful of the dark, our heavenly Father can provide comfort in the times of stress. We need to recall God is always looking out for us, “The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” (Psalm 118:6). In all things God works for the good for those who love him. “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31). The Lord can give us peace in all circumstances, so our hearts are not troubled, nor are we afraid (John 14:27).