The Power Of The Other

When I'm anxious, I tend to isolate.  

But scripture is clear:  don’t isolate, don’t disconnect – rather – connect and self-disclose, in particular, to God.  To be specific:  “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests to God…”  (Philippians 4:6).

Now we must never minimize direct connection with God.  But often overlooked, is the necessity of connecting with God's people.  That also is an antidote for anxiety.  Paul alludes to this in the verses just beyond Philippians 4:6.  Philippians, Paul writes, I rejoice not only in the Lord – I also rejoice “…greatly in the Lord that… you renewed your concern for me…it was good of you to share in my troubles…”  (Philippians 4:10; 14).   

Bottom line:  Paul’s anxiety was not only alleviated by God directly – but – God working through God’s people.   And so in your anxious moments – are you connecting with other people – in particular – God’s people?
  

Earlier this year, I spoke to the Saints Alive group at my former parish, the Frederick Church of the Brethren, on the tendency to isolate as you age.  It makes no sense – but during our latter season of life – when anxiety and uncertainty are especially demanding – we tend to ‘circle the wagons’ and go it alone.   My Dad did that, resulting in a lack of trust; I mean as my Dad got older – my Dad didn’t trust anyone – except for a very special someone.  I’m talking about Mitzie Dad's dog!   

But it made no sense – because Mitzie was the mangiest old mutt you’ve ever seen; I mean Mitzie was a frightful thing, frightful appearing to be contaminated, with far more than fleas.  But Dad seemed to trust that old, mangy critter -- Dad seemed to trust Mitzi -- even more than me.    
            

But we must go beyond Mitzi and indeed learn to trust -- me – and you – and the countless ‘others’ around us.  For as Henry Cloud points out in is his latest book – there is great power in the other.   In fact, Clouds concludes: “Your best and worst seasons were about who was in the season with you.  Either for good or bad, it was not just about you.  It was about the others who were playing a big part in whom you were becoming and how you were doing…”  (p. 8-9, Henry Cloud, The Power Of The Other, Grand Rapids:  Zondervan, p. 8-9).     

The Bible documents this; why every personality in scripture who ‘made it’ – ‘made it’ – because he or she had ‘an-other’ during the worrisome seasons of life.   Why Lot would had Abraham (Genesis 14:14-16).   Jonathan had David (1 Samuel 18:1-3).  Elijah had Elisa (2 Kings 2:2).  Daniel had Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Daniel 2:49).   Paul had Pricilla and Aquila (Romans 16:3-4).  And Jesus had Mary, Martha and Lazarus (Luke 10:38; John 11:21-23).   

But who do you have?   As you anticipate a rough season – or – are currently in a rough season – who is going through that season with you?  

Yes, we are to connect to God directly – but we are also to connect to God’s people intimately.  For as Paul notes in Galatians 6:2 – We are to “…carry each other’s burdens and in this way…fulfill the law of Christ…”  (Galatians 6:2) – including the burden of anxiety.  

For we can choose to connect to a reality beyond our fears.