The Cutting-Free Flower: From symbiosis to autonomy

Red Chestnut

Fear of others

Worry

Fear for others, anxiety, over-concern

For those who find it difficult not to be anxious for other people. Often they have ceased to worry about themselves, but for those of whom they are fond they may suffer much, frequently anticipating that some unfortunate thing may happen to them.

Reflection

Red Chestnut reflects fear for other people. Love for family or friends turns into a stream of pictures of what might happen to them. Care is right. Torment is not. Peter says to cast all care on God, because God cares. Prayer for them replaces the rehearsed disaster. The people we love are safer in His keeping than in our imagined dangers.

Scripture

1 Peter 5:7 (KJV). "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."

Meditation

Father, I cast this fear for them onto You. You care for them and for me. I ask Your protection, and I release the pictures I keep inventing.