Isaiah talks about believers who “will soar on wings like eagles” (Isaiah 40:31, NIV). He says they “shall renew their strength” and be able to “run and “not grow weary” (Isaiah 40:31). I don’t have eagle wings—not even close. Rather, I’m a chicken who walks and tries not to “faint” (Isaiah 40:31).
Under the right circumstances, chickens can fend for themselves and even scare off predators, but they are also easily startled and panic. That’s me.
Some things I readily face and move forward with confidence. At other times, panic rises within me. I lose heart. Judging by the increase in anxiety and depression in recent years, I think others may feel the same way. That’s why I would like to share four things that help me keep walking.
Going to church. Many people who stayed out of church because of the pandemic have not returned. Not me! I need the body of Christ just as David needed other believers. When I think of David, I think of someone bold and courageous—someone who could kill a giant, dodge Saul’s spears, and lead soldiers into battles. Yet, he had times of vulnerability such as he described in Psalm 27.
At that time, what did David long for? He longed for the temple “in the day of trouble,” to be “safe in his dwelling” (Psalm 27:5). In his place of worship, David could be with other people who believed in God.
Whatever I am facing, I want to be at church on Sunday morning, to mingle with other believers, and to draw strength from their strength. Doubts about God can set in during the week to the point that I’m tempted to wonder, “Is God actually real?” After all, He is an invisible God, and so on Sunday, I’m reassured when I see other intelligent people worshiping a God we can’t see. I’m reminded that He is alive and He is real. This realization revives and strengthens me.
Confessing fears
When I am with believers, we share, talk, sing, and pray together. This communication encourages me, but I wouldn’t dream of mentioning at church some of the things that frighten this chicken. Instead, I take James’ advice and confess my fears to a trusted prayer partner (see James 5:16).
That in itself brings me some relief as it lessens the power of my fears, but I’m also strengthened by my partner’s verbal prayer. God not only hears her prayer, but I hear it too. Her expressed faith and confidence in God to answer strengthens my faith and encourages me. I leave our times together with my shoulders straighter and my steps stronger.
Quoting Scripture
As I’ve attended church, taught Sunday school, studied God’s Word, and memorized Scriptures through the years, verses have been “stored” in my memory bank ready for recall. One verse I’ve relied on numerous times is Psalm 56:3—”What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee” (KJV).
This verse surfaces when I experience unexpected turbulence on an airplane, when I travel in unsafe areas, when fierce storms occur, and before I speak to large groups. Repeating Psalm 56:3 over and over is not a magic cure-all. The storm might result in damage and I still need to speak to the audience, but repeatedly saying the verse quiets my fear. The panicky feeling subsides and my courage returns as I realize I can, with God’s help, face what is ahead.
Seeing the goodness of God. While David, as noted above, was encouraged by being with other believers in the temple, he also said he “would have despaired unless” he had seen “the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living” (Psalm 27:13, NASB). The goodness of the Lord is evident in many general ways in our world, but sometimes we may need God to reveal His awareness of us and what we are experiencing.
I recently needed His attention when facing oral surgery. I know most people wouldn’t be bothered by something like oral surgery, but remember I’m a chicken. I’ve had much more extensive surgeries, but I was reluctant to have this particular procedure. Early on Sunday morning of the week it was scheduled, I felt fragile, even to the point of not being able to pray. I thought to myself, I need someone to pray for me, and then I surprised myself by saying out loud, “I need someone to lay hands on me.”
Later in Sunday school class, one of the women, Alicia, arrived with her adult son, Will. That was unusual. Women sometimes brought adult daughters to our all-female class but never sons.
Will not only attended, he also participated in the discussion. I was intrigued by his comments so after class, I engaged him in conversation.
When Alicia joined us, she said, “Brenda is going to have oral surgery this week, Will. Why don’t you pray for her?”
He didn’t hesitate. He said, “May I lay my hands on you as I pray?” Of course, I said, “Yes,” and I marveled at God’s meeting my need without the need for me to even to ask! God’s goodness shown through the clouds of gloom that surrounded me. My fragility disappeared. I knew then that I could face the surgery without fear, and I did.
I can’t predict when moments like this one will happen. I only know that they do. Seeing the “goodness of the Lord in the land of the living” helps me just as going to church, confessing my frailties, and quoting Scripture does.
I may never soar the heights that eagles do, but that doesn’t keep me from having a dynamic, meaningful life as a Christian chicken.