Soothing the Anxious

Our feline "fur-babies" can teach us so much about living. If we pay attention, we see God working through our kitties to help us be more compassionate, show more kindness, grow our hearts to hold more love even after we’ve pounced on one another or swiped at inanimate objects.

Ask any cat why God made people, and he’ll likely answer that cats needed someone to open the cans of tuna. Of course, felines are prone to see themselves as the center of the universe. Now and then, it’s a good idea to remind our privileged pets that God created mankind in his own image and called us “very good.”

These days, more and more people feel worried, anxious, and lonely. We’re unsure about the future as waves of calamity hit us more often than we can remember. It’s natural to hunker down, circle the wagons, and guard our hearts against hurt and rejection. But God says not to be anxious about anything (Philippians 4:6).

Cats seem to sense that God created us not for anxiety but to love and be loved. Still, as any good barn cat knows, you can’t catch mice without the chase. Rewards don’t often come without risk. Only as we risk our hearts to love God and love one another do we find a peace that transcends all understanding (v. 7). Then, along the way, we might find a sunny spot to rest our cares.

When cats mysteriously rise up and appear on our doorsteps at lonely times, they may appear needy. But while we love them into trusting us, a strong, invisible bond forms as they love us back. We tell ourselves we chose our cat companions when we know deep down that they’ve chosen us. And in the same way, we can choose God, who wraps us in his peace.

God approves of those who seek out the anxious, lonely, oppressed, or overlooked. Watch closely and you’ll see how our cats love us unconditionally. We humans could do worse than to imitate our furry friends as they love us into giving over our half of the bed.

Paws-itive Faith Step: Give your cat(s) extra chin scritches and tell them how much you love them.

Lord, help me to remember that when I’m anxious, you take me into your arms, smooth out my ruffled fur, and offer your peace that passes understanding.