Scriptures of Peace ~ Sticky Webs of Worry

The spider inched its way up the day-lily stalk. He stopped to rest on a slender green leaf, then, as if jumping off, descended about a foot. Dangling by a silky thread he rode the wave of a breeze and swung right, attaching himself to the neighboring stalk.

I rocked on my porch and watched.

Again, the little critter dropped about a foot, then, this time swinging left, grabbed the original stalk. Tediously he wove his web. He created spokes that stretched up towards the blossoms and down towards the earth. Back and forth, up and down he worked. Afterwards, the spider made a silky pad in the middle where he could perch while waiting for dinner.

It didn't take long.

A moth drank deeply of the blossoms. Darting from one flower to the next, she was unaware of the trap woven near by. She flew right into the web. The spider pounced. The moth fought a good fight, but the web ensnared her. Freedom was right before the little lady, but unattainable. Her enemy bound her tight, wrapping and wrapping with the same "invisible" web that stopped her flight.

I thought about an entry I read in Jesus Calling by Sarah Young.

"Stop worrying long enough to hear My voice. I speak softly to you, in the depths of your being. Your mind shuttles back and forth, hither and yon, weaving webs of anxious confusion. As My thoughts rise up within you, they become entangled in those sticky webs of worry. Thus, My voice is muffled, and you hear only 'white noise'." ~ Jesus Calling*

Isn't that a powerful description of worrisome, anxious thoughts? Yes! They are just like a web of entrapment, binding us, blinding us to the abundant life we have in Jesus. Those thoughts don't just pop up, do they? Not the destroying kind. No. The destroying kind weave back and forth and up and down, tediously occupying the heart surrendered to the Lord. Satan sits and waits, letting us entangle ourselves in his web. Then he swoops in for the kill. 

Fear escalates. Exhaustion ensues. Finally, we give up.

All along the Lord calls to His child, "Peace. Be still and know that I am God. Cease your striving." He calls, but we're embattled in the destructive web of worry. We're preoccupied with our spinning and kicking and fighting the fearful thoughts, oblivious to His Presence. Deaf to His voice.

I'm learning to recognize the strategies of Satan--his webs of destruction. I'm learning to recognize my part in the entrapment. The Lord, in His remarkable love, is teaching me this:

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" ~ Philippians 4:6,7

How do we cease our worry? By seeking first the kingdom of God. By falling in love with the One who made us.

*Sarah Young, Jesus Calling (China: Thomas Nelson, 2004), p.200.



Father, Calm our anxious hearts, still our worrisome thoughts. Open our eyes to see how Satan uses our thoughts to entangle us in his web of deception where we cannot hear Your voice. Remind us of who You are - the Mighty God, the Sovereign Lord, El Shaddai - the One who cares for us. Thank You for Your faithfulness. We love You Lord.
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