This Is a Really Powerful Remedy for Anxious Chicks
. . . How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, yet you were not willing!
– Matthew 23:37 NLT
I caught my daughter having a breakdown about our new backyard chicks. She had been sucked into an anxiety spiral while researching how to care for them.
The scenario was familiar. I did the same thing many times: every college exam; before my wedding; my pregnancy with twins; every move to a new home, new church, new town; when we became foster parents. Stressors like financial tension, hormonal fluctuations, and career disappointments have all brought on that meanest of soul-bullies called anxiety.
I cringed watching my daughter go through it. Should I save her by taking over care of the chicks? I wondered. I knew exposure to trials might help her resilience, but what if she crumbled?
As I plunged into my own anxiety spiral about how to handle the scenario, my wise husband walked up to our girl, put his arm around her slumped shoulders, and began reading the Bible.
“Hey sweetie, let’s read what God’s Word says about this. Philippians says, ‘Do not be anxious about anything . . . ‘ What are you anxious about?”
“That the chicks will get sick and die,” she sobbed.
My husband continued reading aloud, “ . . . ‘with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God’ (Phil. 4:6 ESV). Let’s start there. What are you thankful for about the chicks right now?”
She sat a little taller. “Their new feathers are really cute.”
“Let’s tell God about all of that as we pray.”
They prayed, thanking God for each chick by name, asking for His care for them, and for her worries. After the “amen,” my husband kissed my daughter’s head, closed the Bible, and recited the final part over her:
“‘And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus.”
– Philippians 4:7 ESV
Remedy for Anxious Chicks
Watching her daddy speak truth over her was a powerful picture of how our own heavenly Father speaks over his daughters. In my own heart, the honor student, young bride, new mom, and aspiring writer all found healing in this tangible example of care for an anxious heart. I will never forget it.
Perhaps today you need that same peace. You may not be anxious about backyard chickens, but you might still be facing insecurity, fear, disappointment, or a wrecked nervous system.
Bring it to the Lord.
Crack open your Bible.
Hang your heavy head over its pages.
Imagine Jesus putting his arm around you, unfazed by the trial you face and yet not shaming you for being overwhelmed by it either.
And let the prompts of Philippians 4 guide you:
- Pray.
- Give thanks.
- Ask God for what you need.
- Open the door for Peace to stand as a bodyguard against the soul bully of anxiety.
And remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 23:37: “…How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, yet you were not willing!”
You have a kind and loving dad who doesn’t judge or overthink or roll his eyes (like we do sometimes). He just gathers you under His arm, like a hen over an anxious chick, to sit with you as you settle down.
Will you be willing?
Meet Becky Rosty
Becky is a sought-after motivational speaker with 20 years of ministry experience equipping women and young adults to kiss crisis-mode goodbye and embrace an abundant life in Christ. Becky also serves as event coordinator, author of three books, podcast host, and certified Holy Yoga instructor. She lives in wild Wyoming with her husband and four amazing kids.
Where to find her . . .
Begin Within is a series to inspire a year-round lifestyle of gratitude that will impact not only your own life, but the lives of your neighbors as well. Gratitude is a theme we talk about often around here because it ties so closely into other missional living rhythms. Practicing gratitude reminds to keep our hearts soft and expectant and our eyes open. Therefore, the more we embrace gratitude, the easier it becomes to truly see our neighbors and where we can join what God is already doing in our neighborhoods.
If you would like to contribute to Begin Within, you can find the submission guidelines here.
