There is a story from India about a fearful mouse that was rescued by a hermit with magical powers.  Because the little mouse feared cats so much, the hermit used his powers to change it into a cat.

The mouse that became a cat was very happy until one day when he was chased by dogs.  The hermit found the mouse-cat hiding and asked why he was frightened.  To help his little friend,  the hermit changed the mouse-cat into a powerful dog.

Everything was fine until one day when the mouse-cat-dog strayed too far into the jungle and met a tiger.  After a long and tiring chase through the dense jungle the dog finally escaped the tiger.

The mouse-cat-dog pleaded his case to the hermit, and the hermit once again used his powers.  The mouse-cat-dog was changed into a tiger, and he thought he would never fear again.

Sadly though, the day came when a hunter was walking through the jungle.  He spied the mouse-cat-dog-tiger, and the tiger ran in fear.  When he found the hermit, he pleaded for help.

The hermit looked into the eyes of the mouse-cat-dog-tiger and said:  I will change you back into a mouse for though you have the body of a tiger; you still have the heart of a mouse.

We have the courage of a mouse when we allow the ghost of the past to haunt the present and threaten our future.  Instead of wasting our energy on who we used to be, we need to realize that in Christ we are a new creation; old things have passed away and all things have become new (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Running around in mouse-like fear is contrary to the Scriptures.  We need to take Isaiah 41:10 to heart:  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.

Here’s a thought to keep you thinking:  If you want a tiger in the tank instead of a mouse in the heart, take a little walk with Jesus—with God, all things are possible.