While we were traveling, Grace, our three-year old German Short-haired Pointer, stayed at our favorite dog kennel located near our home. We chose this kennel a few years ago for its personal attentiveness to dogs. Because Grace lives with Addison’s Disease, she requires daily monitoring and medication. The kennel also offers opportunity for dogs to roam and play. They take great care of the dogs which sets my mind at ease while away from Grace. For the past ten trips when Gary and I both travelled, this dog kennel hosted Grace. She has loved it there.
During this last trip, I received notification that Grace demonstrated aggression, hyper vigilance, and irritability. The kennel staff described her as amped up. Being filled with energy, Grace jumped into dog play, becoming confrontational and aggressive. Grace kept watch over other dogs and engaged friendly encounters with over-involvement and forcefulness. She exerted herself and behaved differently from the previous stays at the kennel.
While disturbing my soul and evoking concern for Grace, the other dogs, and the kennel staff, I began wondering about the change in her demeanor. Why did Grace act with extreme alertness and irritation? What contributed to her amped up conduct? Was she ill? What played a part to Grace’s triggered way of behaving?
Amped – Made larger. Full of intense energy leading to impulsive, irrational, and troublesome behavior.
For now, we wonder if Grace’s amped up behavior might be tied to her daily medication. She receives daily steroids to manage her cortisol deficiency. When we travel and she stays at the kennel we increase her steroid medication to account for the increased stress. We think her larger than life energy and aggression may be tied to increasing her medication too much. She experienced an imbalance within her system and acting out became the result. Within Grace’s body, her system became dysregulated which likely contributed to amped up behavior.
I began pondering with God the idea of being amped. How does being amped look in me and others? What in life causes us to experience intense energy that prompts problematic behavior? In what situations do we try to act “larger” to compensate for an inner imbalance?
Examples of being amped exist throughout the Bible. The most striking example occurred when Peter cut off the solder’s ear in the Garden of Gethsemane (John 18). In the moment of confrontation between Jesus and the Roman soldiers, Peter reacted impulsively, filled with intense energy. Perhaps an imbalance occurred within his soul as he sought to defend and protect Jesus? Another example of amped actions took place in the encounter between Elijah and the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18. Amped up Elijah taunted and yelled at the prophets of Baal, and yet after the victory of the Lord, he fled in fear and anxiety (1 Kings 19). I wonder if a shift took place within his soul moving Elijah from victory to victim or from trust to troubled?
What moments in Scripture come to your mind when you wonder about those amped up in the Bible; people who acted out of heightened emotion? Some that come to my mind are: Joseph’s brothers reaction as he told them of his lofty dreams (Genesis 37), those that sought to trap Daniel while he prayed (Daniel 6), the crowd surrounding Jesus as He stood before Pilate (Matthew 27), King Herod as he ordered the murder of all boys under two years old (Matthew 2), and the crowds Paul confronted (Acts 16, 23). What other moments come to mind for you?
Many situations in life can lead to being amped up; moments when we feel as though we might explode. A shift occurs within us when life takes an unexpected turn. The ways we engage those shifts have the potential to amp us up, resulting in discord, irritability, and over-involvement. Or, the manner in which we address those encounters extends the possibility of growth, grace, and gratitude. With God’s help we get to decide how to engage the unforeseen, the abrupt, and the uncomfortable.
Modern day situations that might amp us up include: sporting events, political decisions, health conditions, traffic delays, disagreeable colleagues, cultural differences, religious preferences, financial conditions, community events, property damage, generational differences, personality conflicts, and contrasting work ethics.
Let’s live aware of the reality that life offers innumerable opportunities to become amped up. With this awareness comes the capacity to respond to those situations with grace and gratitude.
We can pause when we become aware of an imbalance within our soul likely revealed by anger, agitation, frustration, impatience, fear, or pre-occupation. In the pause, reflect with God about what amped you up. Welcome His grace and goodness into the uncomfortable situation. Thank God for the space to grow in Him and look to His redemptive transformative power shifting within you. Allow the Spirit of the Living God to bring balance within you and regulate your inner being in Him.
This week – – –
Reflect. Think back over the last 24-48 hrs. Notice any moments when the energy within you felt as though it might explode. What led to this moment? How did you respond? Were you impulsive, frustrated, critical, fearful, or confused? Talk with Jesus about what stirred within you. Of what might God want you to be aware? Does God draw you to confess and receive His cleansing (Isaiah 30:15)? In what ways might God invite you to live freely with Him in the future (Galatians 5:1)?
Request. Thank God for His grace and goodness to you each day (2 Corinthians 12:9). Ask Him to heighten your awareness to amped behavior and inner imbalance. Welcome God’s peace and presence into those unsettling and unexpected moments. Allow the Prince of Peace to settle your soul (Philippians 4:7).
Receive. God loves you! Pause with the Lord. Receive God’s kindness to you in your journey with Him. Take a deep breath and let in His goodness envelop you (Psalm 34:8). Breathe deeply knowing you are safe and secure in His loving presence.
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Drips from the Word: Muse about these Bible verses. Let these truths impact your living.
Isaiah 41:10 – So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Psalm 37:7 – Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him
Splashes from the Spigot: Drink from deep wells. Read these recommended books to fill your soul.
Peter Scazzaro. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality: It’s Impossible to Be Spiritually Mature, While Remaining Emotionally Immature. Grand Rapids, MI. 2017.
David G. Benner and M. Basil Pennington. The Gift of Being Yourself: The Sacred Call to Self-Discovery (The Spiritual Journey). Lisle, IL 2015.
Sprinklings of Truth: Soak in meaningful songs. Check out these music videos to lift up your spirit.
Elevation Worship. Trust in God. Click here to watch and listen.
Colton Dixon. Up & Up. Click here to watch & listen.
Puddles for Prayer: Thank you for praying for upcoming travel and speaking engagements.
March 16-18 – Soul Care Encounter, Black Rock Retreat, Quarryville, PA Click here for information
April 11 – Breathe Retreat, Littleton, CO
April 22-May 5 – Poland and Ukraine (Teaching intensive course, “The Care of Souls,” at UBTS)