The Creature within Despondent Forest
By Michael K. Farrar, O.D.
© November 11, 2010
www.godsbreath.net
Copies of this and other homilies available by sending requests to: mikefarrar@aol.com
1 Peter 5:6-7
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
John Mark was not exactly sure how he wound up in Despondent Forest. He knew he had been facing numerous trials and struggles recently. He must have gotten off the Faithful Trail at some point. It didn’t take much to wander off this steady path. A few moments of distraction or altered attention and you could find yourself wandering in the aimless mess of meaningless trails in Despondent Forest.
Thank goodness he hadn’t taken off his armor and he still had his sword. So he was protected as he searched for the path that led back to the Faithful Trail. He knew his problem would be enduring the sense of despondency while in the forest and surviving the attacks of the creatures that lived in its horrible bramble of trees.
He made his way through the dense forest. The sharp thorny branches of the trees seemed to reach out and grab at his arms and legs. The thick heavy fog that surrounded him made it very hard to perceive what lay ahead. It gave John Mark a feeling of oppression and caused him to feel like a heavy hand was pressing down hard upon his soul. Suddenly he heard a low muffled growl somewhere amidst the trees. He knew evil creatures lurked in Despondent Forest. They preyed on souls who became lost amidst the thick overgrowth and senseless maze of paths that led nowhere.
He sensed the creature was nearby and stalking him. He tightened his breastplate, adjusted his helmet and drew his sword from its scabbard. He saw a muddy clearing ahead. It would be a much better place to defend himself than the tight quarters of the thick woods.
He cautiously walked into the small clearing. The stench from the mud was awful and made it difficult to breath. He saw a dark form roaming the edge of the forest circling his position. He strained to make out its features. Was it …? Yes it was. It was Anxiety. Of all the creatures known to frequent Despondent Forest, Anxiety was the most feared. Such an animal knew how to stalk its prey with precision and few were the souls that survived its predatory attacks. Almost always the unfortunate individual would succumb to such immobilizing fear and terror that they would become paralyzed. This allowed Anxiety to rip and tear at the flesh of their heart, mind and soul of its victim. Death was not quick and never painless. That was part of the feeding frenzy of Anxiety. It loved to hear the screams of torture as it consumed its prey slowly and methodically.
John Mark had heard that often Anxiety would attack viciously, then retreat. Some thought this indecision was merciful, but Anxiety’s evil real plan was to extend the time of torment and tease its victim with overwhelming emotions of utter hopelessness. The desire of Anxiety was to suck every ounce of faith and trust in God out of its victim until nothing was left but a lifeless shell.
John Mark saw Anxiety emerge from the woods. It had eyes of steel that glowed from its huge black furry body. It raised its head and let out a deafening howl that was such a roaring scream that it brought a chill to his bones. The creature lowered its head, dug its huge paws into the filthy mud and began racing towards him.
John Mark bent his knees and stabilized himself. He raised his sword and prayed to his Lord for protection. He felt strength from his Father’s Spirit fill him.
Anxiety lunged into the air. John Mark dodged to the left. He smelled the putrid breath of the horrid creature as it snapped at his face as it flew to his right. Quickly it spun around and jumped upon him. He thrust his sword deep within the chest of the huge black creature. It howled in pain and recoiled. John Mark momentarily glanced down at his sword. Blood from the deadly creature oozed down the blade. It was thick and black as sin. He quickly looked up and held his sword above his head ready to swing again.
Anxiety was far from dead. It seemed to gain strength from the excitement of battle. Would he be able to kill such a creature? It circled him looking for an advantage to attack. Suddenly it began charging at him again. It dodged to the right, and then left, then back to the right catching him off guard. When the creature pounced upon Him his sword was not in the correct position to strike and he fell to the ground with the massive animal on top of him. The smell of its breath was horrible. He wrestled with the creature to gain some advantage but all he could do was ward off the constant snapping of its jaws inches from his throat.
They rolled over and over in the thick putrid mud. John Mark tried with all his might to find release from Anxiety’s constant attacks. His armor was saving him from much bodily harm but he was tiring. The creature seemed to gain strength as they fought. Now he knew how this creature overcame its victims. As fear and anxiety increased, hopelessness was born and it was just a matter of time before its victim would be hopeless and helpless and Anxiety would feast on the bones of its prey. What was he to do?
John Mark prayed hard for help from his Lord and Savior. It was at this moment of despair that out of the corner of his eye he noticed another gigantic creature coming into the clearing. It was brownish gold in color and had a thick mane around its neck. It opened its mouth and a royal roar shook the ground. It was his Savior and Lord the Lion.
Anxiety didn’t stop its incessant attack but John Mark felt a joy in his soul, as he knew his Savior had come to his rescue. A verse he had memorized as a child came to his mind, “When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.”
The Lion King stood His ground waiting for John Mark to do what was required of him. John Mark knew what his Lord wanted him to do. He managed to wrestle Anxiety closer to the Lion. He mustered up all his strength and with one mighty shove; he cast Anxiety over to the Lion. Without a blink of an eye the huge Lion opened its mouth, caught Anxiety and snapped its back with one mighty crunch. The Lion shook his head and tossed the dead black carcass off into the trees of Despondent Forest.
The Lion walked up to John Mark and licked his wounds. John Mark stroked the long soft mane of the Lion and whispered praise and thanks in His ear. They both stayed there for what seemed like the longest time basking in the communion of a precious holy victory. Then slowly the Lion began to lead the way out of Despondent Forest on a path that was clearly marked, but that John Mark had failed to see earlier.
John Mark loved this Lion. It was his Savior, Lord and Master. He would strive to serve Him for he loved his Lord with all his heart, mind and soul.
Psalms 94:19
‘When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.”
1 Peter 5:6-7
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”