a pest

Anxiety is a pest, not a pet.

Fear is a pest, not a pet.

Anxiety and panic, they can indeed attack at times. And these feelings cannot just be controlled. Nor should they be ignored. Emotions are very real, even though they are not always based on reality. But they are a sign, a signal of what’s going on. A clue, a flag showing us what we’re really believing as truth. Or how what we’ve experienced is really impacting us. Where we’re vulnerable.

Where my heart aches so often is when so many souls I dearly love begin to identify fear as a part of themselves. I hear the words “my anxiety…” and my hearts sinks every time. Because they’re owning it as their own possession. Because you see, anxiety isn’t a pet to keep around, to feed and nurture, to care for, to spoil even. Anxiety is a pest.

When anxiety circles around again, it is not welcome. It is not comforting. Fear is not something to open arms to or receive. Fear is not to be coddled. Panic is not something to pet or feed.

And language, it matters. What I speak over myself and over others, it carries weight. We all know the power of words spoken over us, how we remember them, how we can own them…for better or worse.

Let’s be careful to speak words of life over those around us, and ourselves. Because the battle against fear is real. Every move counts. Every word counts. Fight for those you love, in love. Speak words of love.