I was taking a walk and talking to my mom on the phone when my dog suddenly began going crazy. Everything was chaotic!

My husband usually takes our dog out for his evening walks, and many times, he comes back with some exciting story of how a loose dog chased Teddy. I had never had that happen until this little, chunky dog got ahold of Teddy and me.

That evening, I decided to take Teddy out and give my husband a break. We had all been sick, and I figured Rene would appreciate it. I also thought this would be a great opportunity to call my mother back in the USA.

Off I went with my little dog. The evening was not so hot, so it was quite enjoyable. As we approached the lake in my neighborhood, I saw this little white dog, so I quickly walked as far as I could from him and kept enjoying my evening walk.

Moments later, my dog was going crazy, barking and crying. I couldn’t figure out what was happening until I saw the little white, chunky dog trying to bite Teddy. Here in Thailand, I have become brave when I see a dog, and I project my strong voice — “HEY!” — and the dogs usually get scared and go away. Well, I was not able to do this because I never saw or heard the little dog come from behind until it was too late.

Nevertheless, I tried to say, “Hey!” but since I had been sick, I had no voice; it was more like a whisper, which did not intimidate the little dog at all. No one could hear me. My dog was going around me in circles as I was trying to pick him up. But the white dog kept trying to bite him — three times! I decided I had to kick the little terror away. I tried to carefully get him away, but he was too fast and right back behind my dog. I fell as I kept trying to protect Teddy and yell at the same time. Thank God, this happened very close to the white, chunky dog’s house, and the owners heard the dog commotion.

I was out of breath from trying to yell — it didn’t take much; I had been short of breath during the week because of a respiratory infection, which had turned into laryngitis. The ordeal so shook me that I hung up with my mom and called Rene so he could come and pick me up.

This dog encounter reminded me of 1 Peter 5:8-10 when he urged believers to stay alert against our enemy, the devil, who prowls like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Peter also encourages us to stand firm and be strong in our faith like our brothers and sisters around the world. We may suffer, but God will come to our rescue.

You better believe I will be more vigilant and alert next time. I have yelled at street dogs three times the size of the dog in my neighborhood. I have looked at them in the eyes, yelled and intimidated them, because I was vigilant. But not with the dog in my neighborhood. Out of sight, out of mind.

We cannot let our guard down — especially in our familiar surroundings, our comfort zone. We live in a time when we need to be vigilant. We need the armor of God daily. God has given us all the tools we need to resist the devil. The enemy has tried to roar in my life and the lives of my family and even more since we have been here in Thailand. When we are doing God’s will, the enemy doesn’t like it. I thank God for the authority we have in Jesus’ name. Many times, I have had to use my intimidating voice and, in “the name of Jesus,” speak with authority and rebuke Satan out of my life, family and circumstances.

I am thankful for verse 10 of 1 Peter 5: “So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.” Praise God! I was so happy when I could stand again and when my husband came to help me since I was so out of breath and far from the house. God does the same for us.

By the way, Teddy was okay. Thank God for his curly fur, which protected him from the bites.

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