An old Native American tale recounts a conversation between a grandfather and his grandson. The grandfather confides to the boy that two wolves struggle inside him, each trying to dominate his spirit. One wolf is fear and anger; the other is courage and joy. The boy asks, "Which one wins, Grandfather?" The Grandfather replies, "The one I feed."

How easy to feed our inner fear and anger. While real and present dangers exist, how quickly we fall victim to the doom and gloom in our own minds. While personal insecurities and bad memories poison our imaginations, we dine on visions of the worst. Suppose the boss hates my report? What if I miss this promotion? Will my feedback upset the client? What if my company is acquired and I'm laid off?

Our most disturbing fears play out and engorge our minds. While we helplessly grasp at ways to reduce our imaginary fears, they intensify. They tighten their grip, haunt us, sap us of life, and ultimately paralyze us. We find ourselves locked in a room, craving fortune and glory, feasting on nonexistent fears of failure and loss, starving to death.

Jesus talked about anxiety, and his view of it is clear:

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" (Matt. 6:25-27)

Jesus says worry is wasted energy. God alone is calm. Paul exhorts the church at Philippi: "Do not be anxious about anything" (Phil. 4:6).

To overcome imaginary fears, however, is not simply a matter of willpower. The antidote is to "seek first his kingdom and his righteousness" (Matt. 6:33). The solution lies in a relationship, not a technique. Our nourishment is in the Bread of Life. Jesus said, "Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me" (John 6:57).

When we feed on the Word, we become people of faith rather than creatures of fear. We begin to imagine the Lord's plan for our lives and to see how he desires to heal our relationships and transform our problems. We draw courage and joy from the nourishment he offers. We can feast on Jesus, the bread that satisfies.

Which wolf will you feed?