Perilous Pets

As far as we know, Sandra Herold never saw it coming. Travis, the chimpanzee, had been her pet for years. Apparently he had never been much of a problem outside of normal primate playfulness. One report spoke of how the chimp “…liked to surf on the Internet and was able to change the TV channel with a remote, according to a Stamford Advocate article. The paper also reported that Travis watered plants, was able to feed hay to his owner's horses, ate at a table with the rest of the family and sometimes drank wine from a stemmed glass” (Stephanie Gallman, CNN). He was the perfect pet.

But all that changed this past Monday. When Charla Nash came to help Herold get Travis back into the house after he had escaped by using a key, the chimp attacked Herold’s friend. The vicious attack nearly killed Ms. Nash, who remains hospitalized with life-threatening injuries. Police who responded to a 911 call for help were forced to shoot and kill the animal after it tried to attack an officer. Although it doesn’t happen often, sometimes pets will turn against their owners or those close to them. And when they do, someone usually gets hurt.

The same thing can happen with our mental or emotional “pets.” What are mental or emotional pets, you ask? I am speaking of the sinful attitudes that we nurture and protect – things like pride, anger, abusive speech, selfishness, grudges, etc.. Over time we can become quite close to these pets. We feed and shelter them. We keep them under control in respectable company. And with such good care, these pets soon grow big and strong. But, then, the unthinkable happens. These pets that have been such close companions turn against us. Suddenly, without warning, we lash out at those around us. Our words and actions injure and maim others. Lives are damaged.

Lord, please help us all to realize the danger that comes with keeping such “pets” in our lives. May we get rid of the sinful attitudes and actions that injure us as well as others.

God loves you!
Mike