Little Foxes

Catch for us the foxes,

the little foxes
that ruin the vineyards,
our vineyards that are in bloom.

--Song of Solomon 2:15

First of all, I’d like to give credit to my friend Megan for reminding me this verse and for initiating the concept of what is to follow. The Song of Solomon is one book of the bible that I’m not especially keen on reading. Fear not, the only other one I’m not keen on is Revelation and I’m reading it now. While, Song of Solomon is not very long and certainly isn’t a difficult read, I’m never drawn to read its contents. Having had this brought to my attention, I’m now curious as to what else God will reveal to me in reading it.

Megan and I were discussing the mind. The mind can be a very ominous being. It can be our best friend or greatest enemy. However, we have the power to control our own minds. Megan and I got on the subject to taking thoughts into captivity. I have many thoughts on this and I’m always willing to share upon request but for the sake of brevity I will stick to the aforementioned verse. Megan and I were also discussing attitudes based on the previous blog entitled “Heart Change.” I reiterated the concerns I had about letting little things get the best of me. That is when she mentioned this verse. The more I thought about it the more it began to make sense.

Foxes are very cunning animals. Although considered a part of the dog family, they are very cat-like in nature. They’re sneaky and will often catch their prey by surprise. I’ve even read that they stalk their prey and will sometimes play with it before eating it—creepy. Comparing the foxes to thoughts, I began to see the similarities and then what God was conveying to me in this scripture. It’s the little thoughts that you have to watch out for. Once it’s in your head, it’s hard to get it out. Negative thoughts are the “little foxes.” But it’s the little foxes that ruin the vineyards. Your mind is the planting ground for all the seeds sown in your life. You’re most fruitful from your mind and thus you’d want to protect it from invaders big and small. See at first, you just see a little fox, what harm can it do? It won’t eat much and it’s not a huge threat. However, when you allow more and more little foxes in your vineyard it is ruined and the fruits of your labor are no longer apparent.

In order to restore your vineyard you would first need to rid yourself of the little foxes and then guard it with a hedge of protection. But be watchful, these little foxes can dig and like I mentioned before they are cunning. The negative thoughts will always find a way in. However, you have to be mindful enough to know when they are wreaking havoc on your vineyard and then swift enough to chase them away.

How often I’ve found myself beyond irritated at just the mildest of all things. However, once I open myself up to one negative thought, they all come prancing in and destroy everything I’ve worked for. Just as the little foxes devastate the once bountiful land, negative thoughts destroy what good one has going in the mind. What once seemed like good ideas are shot down by doubt and fear. The positive outlook you may have once had on life is given away to the dismal negativity that’s found its way into your mind. Don’t allow for it! Kick those little foxes out of the vineyard before it’s decimated. Kick those negative thoughts out of your mind before they destroy you!