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Catch the foxes for us,
the little foxes that spoil the vineyards,
for our vineyards are in blossom.
Song of Solomon 2:15 (ESV)

I love my mother. She is ninety-plus years old and still loves to paint, often finding Bible verses to paint about. She recently began talking about this little verse in the Song of Solomon. Honestly, as a widow, I avoid this book! But this little verse has application for all of us.

The foxes were the little destroyers coming into their new relationship. The vineyard was just beginning to take off in bloom and those pesky little foxes were tearing them up. The couple didn’t want anything to interrupt their new relationship.

We have an opportunity as widows to develop a relationship all over. This time with God.

Afresh. Anew. Vibrant. Deep. Believers are the Bride of Christ, and He is the Groom. We have the chance to dig into Scripture and get to know our Groom like never before. Having had such deep hurt in losing our spouses, God can bring glory to Him in new and creative ways.

Except for the little foxes.

What are the little foxes that want to destroy your new, deeper relationship with Christ? I have anger or apathy. “Why would God let this awful thing happen to ME?” or “What good does it do to follow Christ when He takes away such a precious gift?” These can be huge joy stealers.

The foxes could be being too busy or apathetic, jealousy or pride. “Why did her husband experience healing and mine didn’t? Could God actually love her MORE?” The foxes might be murmuring or complaining, impatience or ungratefulness. Those are just in my life! What about your life? What are your little foxes?

How do we fight these little foxes and keep them out of our growing relationship with Christ?

I researched the humane way to remove real foxes from a garden and this is what I found:

1. Remove access to food: Get rid of the rotting food on the ground. In other words, recognize the sin in your life and confess it to God. “Let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,” Hebrews 12:1 ESV
2. Remove places of shelter: look for areas where the foxes could hide. Stay in Scripture so you recognize false teaching and the lies that society is telling you. Dig into Scripture so you can hear God speak to you personally through passages. John 15 explains about abiding in Christ. Matthew 5:6 shows us we can be filled when we hunger and thirst for righteousness.
3. Deter foxes from wanting to enter: put up a fence. You could do this by fellowshipping with other believers and bonding with Christian widows as encouragement. Hebrews 10:25 (ESV) not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Have you recognized a little “fox” wanting to get in and destroy the “fruit” in your life today? How do these attitudes affect your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, or self-control (Galatians 5:22,23 ESV) ? The little attitudes may seem harmless at first, but as we allow them more space in our lives, they destroy us.

Father God, Husband, Lover of my soul, I love You and want a deeper relationship with You. You know me inside and out, You know my every thought, so help me today to guard my heart and put a stop to the enemies trying to steal my joy. Amen