1 John 4:18 - Murophobia

Murophobia: An abnormal fear of mice and rats

My grandmother lived with one of my aunts in a Chicago apartment and we would visit them occasionally on weekends. When I was a kid, I remember hearing that the sewer rats in Chicago could hold their breath under water long enough to climb up a toilet drain pipe, navigate the curves under the toilet bowl, and climb out. After hearing that, I think I never sat down again on my grandma's toilet.

And as it turns out, it's not an urban legend. Just watch the National Geographic video explaining how rats manage to get into household toilets.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0t2VPBF6Kp4
Warning: don't watch before bedtime or before going to the bathroom.

Then there was the story of one of my dad's coworkers at R.R. Donnelley's Lakeside Press on the south side of Chicago. He was walking to work and turned a corner... only to have a rat run up his pants leg. 

It's a wonder that more people don't have a fear of rats... and I wouldn't call it abnormal!

There are countless phobias: objects, situations, and experiences that people fear. 

Yet the Bible says,
"Where God’s love is, there is no fear, because God’s perfect love drives out fear..." (1 John 4:18, New Century Version)

It doesn't matter if it's a "normal fear" or an "abnormal phobia." Some people find it difficult to admit they fear anything and just say that they have "concerns" or they are "cautious." No matter: God's love is the antidote to fear of any kind, to any degree.

Lord, give us courage to admit to ourselves the things we fear. More importantly, we turn those fears over to you and ask that we would find courage and peace knowing that You love us and You will be with us, regardless of what does or does not happen in life.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

Illustration: Brown Rat by Stephen Dalton