A NON-ANXIOUS PRESENCE
The scene opens with a mountain lion eyeing a baby bear frolicking in a meadow. Licking its chops, the cat advances. Eventually the cub spots the cougar, and the chase is on. Climbing onto a dead limb, the bear plummets into a creek, and drifts ashore where the predator awaits. Death appears imminent. Desperate, the baby stands on its rear legs, extends its tiny paws and issues a high-pitched growl. Incredibly, the mountain lion retreats. Then the camera pans to a wider view, revealing the mama bear, a full-sized grizzly, standing behind her cub.
This video mirrors what many are experiencing these days. Anxiety, stress, worry— the “what-ifs” feel overwhelming. The harshness of our political climate, the threat of natural disasters, and day-to-day family issues bear down on us like a hungry mountain lion. How do we respond? Just like that baby bear. We can't chase off all the "wild beasts" we encounter. But our “Papa” can; and He's promised to always be near us, even on those knot-in-our-stomach days. In Hebrews 13:5 God promises, “I will never [under any circumstances] desert you [nor give you up nor leave you without support, nor will I in any degree leave you helpless].” (AMP)
That's convincing. Rely our own resources, and we'll be eaten alive. But remain close to Papa and we can live fearlessly. God is bigger than any adversity we'll encounter, whether real or imagined—bigger than our bills, our boss and our burdens. That's why God revealed through Zechariah the prophet, "Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit." (Zech.4:6). Live in total reliance on Him.
Edwin Friedman in A Failure of Nerve shares that our culture desperately needs "a non-anxious presence." Imagine remaining so connected to our Father that our lives are saturated with a non-anxious spirit. Imagine bringing a non-anxious presence into every arena of life: our work, family, neighborhood. I cannot fathom anything more crucial than posturing a non-anxious presence before a fear-filled world. In 2020, let's determine to adopt that mindset. Let's demonstrate what a fearless life looks like. Let's recall the image of that mama bear and remember our "Papa Bear" is always with us.
In what areas of life do I need to adopt a non-anxious presence?
In 2020, what commitments can I make so this becomes a reality?
“Abba Father, turn my eyes toward you. Help me sense your presence when the ‘mountain lions’ of life attack me.”