The Pig Bit Me

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

Philippians 4:8

Worshipping on Saturday nights gave our small church family some unique opportunities. One of which was a unique Sunday morning field trip. At the suggestion of a few members interested in hobby farms, we made the hour and a half drive north to a small family farm specializing in raw milk and grass-fed meats.  

Rolling hills. All sorts of animals. Bright shining sun. Several families we loved-- it was a legendary day. But the best part was the pigs. There was a nice sized pen beside a building of some sort. The pigs had plenty of room to roam and a great deal of mud to splash in. The enclosure was surrounded by a short electric fence. The farmer warned us: “This is an electric fence to keep the pigs inside their pen. It is activated right now. Please keep your kids from touching it.” 

At the time, three year old David had been living his best life, up close and personal with these pigs. We took him to the side, got down on his level and repeated the farmer’s warning in our best three year old words, “Don’t touch that wire. It will hurt you.” We said it twice. We had David repeat it. 

Pretty soon, David continued to enjoy the company of his friends and these pigs so much, he touched the fence. He cried and cried and cried and we comforted him lovingly (despite wanting to remind him we told him not to touch the fence). As the wailing slowed and he began to talk again, he yelled, “The pig bit me! The pig bit me!”

It took us some time to understand that David had no context for electric fences. Fences that “bit” made no sense at all. But you know what does make sense? Animals that bite. That he could understand. And so for the rest of that day, and for many, many days afterwards, David would tell anyone who would listen about the pig who bit him. 

Perhaps you’re saying, “Ah, isn’t that cute? A toddler who didn’t understand how electric fences work!” Yes. It’s a cute story about a child who didn’t understand, but you know what else? Sometimes I’m a child who doesn’t understand. Sometimes there are things going on in my world, in my city, in my house, that make no sense to me. And left to my own devices, I’ll create a story that makes sense: 

“She was rude to me today because she doesn’t like me.”

“I’m not smart enough to understand the Bible.”

“God is punishing me.”

And while we can chuckle at a child who thinks a pig bit him, we allow these silly untrue thoughts to live rent-free in our brains without as much as questioning if they are true. We create stories where we are the victims of things that aren’t even there. 

Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” 

Every thought we think, especially those we ruminate on, should go through this filter: Is it true? Is it noble? Is it right? Pure, lovely, admirable? Is it excellent or praiseworthy? If not, let the thought go; it’s as helpful as believing a pig bit you. When we’re busy telling ourselves lies, especially when it comes to lies of our identity, there’s no room left in our brains to ruminate on the things of God, the lovely, pure, and praiseworthy. Which do you want taking up the prime real estate in your brain?