Let me introduce you to the merimna. This creature feeds on insecurity and its belly echoes the voices that have spoken condemnation over our lives. Negative words. Cruel words. You know the sort I mean. The ones that tear holes in our God-given identity until we are threadbare.

Like the enemy himself, the merimna can also disguise itself as an angel of light. A virtue. It is the type of creature that can allow its host to be high-functioning. Its presence goes beyond the diagnosis of fear into overwhelming anxiety. It attacks the core of a person, from the base of their throat to the pit of their stomach, and causes division of the mind.

Sometimes mistaken for apprehension, this beast spreads through nerves and muscles to cause unrelenting tension.

The merimna can act as an aid – a help-meet, if you will, though it is no ezer. For its own manifestation, it can help us push past healthy boundaries into the realms of burn out.

To add to its danger, this beast’s superpower is its invisibility.

The merimna can only be seen through the lens of truth. But it will avoid being found, not wanting to be uncovered and disarmed. While in hiding, this beast takes pleasure in reciting a taunting monologue, chanting what-ifs, worst-case scenarios, and secret fears. It knows our insecurities intimately and wields them against us, helping us build walls against vulnerability, lest anyone should see we don’t have it all together.

The merimna is an expert at catastrophising scenarios in the host’s mind until we are so overwhelmed that we can barely draw breath.

Thick throat. Thrashing heart. Knotted stomach.

The merimna attacks our core along with our mind until we are so paralysed we don’t want to take one more step forward.

The only way to disarm the merimna is with spiritual weapons – the Sword of the Spirit and the mighty battle cry of praise and worship. And, of course, prayer. Prayer for our own heart and mind and prayer for others.

Praying for others takes back power from the merimna. It shifts our focus from the symptoms the merimna produces in us and lifts our gaze heavenward.

Even when disabled, the merimna can often rear its ugly head from the depths of us, which is why it’s important for us to be armed with God’s Word…

To swipe that sucker down at first glance.

“Cast all your care (merimna) upon Him; for He cares for you.”

1Pe 5:7

“Do not be anxious (merimnaō) about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Phil 4:6-7

Merimna

“The noun μεριμνα is translated as “care, anxiety, and worry.” Its root is the Greek word μεριζω (Strong’s 3307) that means “to divide, to separate.” So μεριμνα represents a mental state or condition in which someone is occupied with or is dwelling upon something.”

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