Are you familiar with the term brooding? How about the etymology of the word? It is of Germanic origin, and originally referred to breeding. The term is a figurative use of the idea of a hen sitting on her eggs, or sitting with her chicks under her wings.
In fact, country folk are familiar with a broody hen:
“A broody hen is a chicken that has decided to sit on and hatch a clutch of eggs. The eggs may be fertilized or unfertilized. The broody hen will sit on the eggs day and night, leaving only once daily to eat, drink, and poop. If you try to remove her from her eggs, she may hiss at you and peck you.” (thespruce.com)
Today, the word brooding refers to “showing deep unhappiness of thought.”
Have you fallen into the practice of brooding? There are a number of passages of scripture which refer to the unproductive nature of brooding.
Paul wrote, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
Jesus said, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matthew 6:34).
Brooding is not only unproductive, it is also selfish. One who broods tends to be thinking about how any crisis or trouble affects him or her. The virus is keeping us indoors, we are concerned about our job, about our country, about our way of life.
While we brood, others suffer. The elderly are physically in danger. The poor are already going hungry. The spiritually weak are struggling with their faith.
If we stop brooding, and start encouraging, sharing and edifying others, we get outside of ourselves, gain an sense of purpose, and fill our empty hours with acts of charity.
Take a minute and get outside of your own mind. What can you do for others? It is obviously more difficult with the limitations our government has placed upon movement. But, we can make a phone call. We can video call our family, or email an old friend. We can ask about our brethren, and share something of ourselves with those we love. Take the time! Make the effort! It beats stewing in our own miserable juices. Don’t be a broody hen!
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