“Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that spoil the vineyards, for our vineyards are in blossom.” Song of Solomon 2:15
Song of Solomon is a poem of love between a man and woman. But we know also that marriage is a reflection of Christ and the church…Christ and us. So perhaps there is spiritual application within the lines of the song.
Anxiety foxes are pestering my love relationship with God right now. I can coax the furry pests to sleep at night but they wake up each morning with renewed vigor, rushing in and crowding the joy out of my thoughts. What shall I do?
Today, while making a breakfast shake for my son, I peer out the kitchen window at our tiny strip of “yard”. But my mind is inward focused. I physically feel the gate to my heart swing open. Little foxes of worry scurry in. College choice for my son, scholarship applications, upcoming decisions, relationships, busy schedules, to-do lists, expectations. The role call is long and the foxes are persistent, not a one of them takes the day off.
I recall a phrase from Philippians (4:7), “will guard your hearts and minds.” If I let Him, God will set His peace as a guard on the unreliable gates of my heart and mind. Psalm 143:8 says, “let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you…” and Lamentations 3:22-23 says, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
I don’t want pesky foxes of worry fussing about in my heart. I long to have the word of God’s unfailing love, the endless mercies of my Creator, rushing in.
So how do I catch the little foxes?
2 Corinthians 10:5 says we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Worry and anxiety are not of Christ. They are little foxes that will destroy the tender vines of faith in my heart. God’s peace can guard my heart if I will look to Him. And when I take my thoughts captive–rather than letting them run willy-nilly through my mind–I can wake up in the morning ready to thank God for His goodness. That’s a better beginning to my day than giving fretting foxes permission to surround me.
It’s not an easy path, catching those foxes—but it’s worth it.
What foxes threaten your heart today?