With everything that’s been going on, and all the craziness of the media, it’s natural that our minds and bodies are going to be more anxious, stressed, and tense.
A few weeks ago, I was praying in my bed, and talking to God about that. I wasn’t really sure what specifically I was worrying about, it was more of a generalized sense of anxiety. For context, I had just been on Facebook and y’all the negativity and fear on there is way out of proportion!
Anyway, so I had been praying about that and for the Lord to ease my mind and comfort me.
Literally seconds later my kitten, Ash, walks in my room, jumps on my bed, and curls up beside me. I started stroking his beautiful white and gray fur and found myself marveling at how Jesus works.
In the midst of my worry and needing comfort, He sent a small cat to stay by me and offer that joy and consolation. Even now, I absolutely love how Jesus used my little pet to minister to my heart.
Examples of this exist in Scripture as well, the most notable of which that comes to mind is Elijah and the ravens, found in 1 Kings 17:2-6
“And the word of the Lord came to him: “Depart from here and turn eastward and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. You shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.” So he went and did according to the word of the Lord. He went and lived by the brook Cherith that is east of the Jordan. And the ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook.”
Through Elijah, the Lord had just said that there would be a drought – no dew or rain for the next few years unless by His word. Not to mention, that Ahab was king, Jezebel as Queen, and they both were exceedingly evil people who were worshipping other gods and sacrificing their own children.
In the midst of this, the Lord used ravens to provide for Elijah’s physical needs of bread and meat. And I also like to think that He used animals (God could have simply caused it to appear or drop from the sky as He did for Israel in the desert) because He knew that Elijah was going to be lonely. Of course, animals aren’t the same level as human relationships, but how many of us during this pandemic have been grateful for our dogs, cats, birds, horses, etc?
Interestingly enough, in the article, “The Health Benefits of Companion Animals” from nps.gov says,
“Animals have been demonstrated to improve human cardiovascular health, reduce stress, decrease loneliness and depression.”
Whether those interactions were passive or active, the article states that benefits of lower anxiety levels were shown, thereby decreasing symptoms of stress.
Isn’t that amazing? As an omniscient God, He knows the benefits of animals even if we don’t recognize it ourselves!
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 says,
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”
As the God of all comfort, He knows exactly the best way to soothe our heart, settle our minds, and calm our spirits. He knows what caused our worry and what’s going on in our world. He might whisper a Scripture verse over our hearts, or send someone to encourage us.
And sometimes? Sometimes, He may send a cat.
~ Southern Dreamer
Resources:
Southern Dreamer 
I love this, Lanie. ❤ You always have great insights and a clear way of expressing them.
Aww thank you so much girl!! You’re so sweet! ❤