Dread of Holofernes

Synopsis     Judith 2:15-3:3     10/2/2020 

Holofernes was King Nebuchadnezzar’s top general. During his war with the Medes, Nebuchadnezzar had asked all the nations of his empire for help. But, the nations west of the Euphrates River had refused. 

So, after defeating the Medes, the king sent Holofernes out with a large army to take vengeance on these nations.   

Holofernes ripped through the west causing destruction everywhere he went. As a result, the people of the western nations were filled with dread.  

Dread of Holofernes 

The nations felt dread of Holofernes because of the destruction his army wrought. While each nation hoped they might somehow escape the destruction, the angst that his army might arrive anytime wore on the people.  

For them, it was like knowing a tidal wave was coming yet having no ability to prepare nor any ability to alter the situation.  

Dread and Anxiety 

William Shakespeare once wrote, “”Cowards die many times before their deaths, the valiant never taste of death but once.” 

Dread is the result of mentally dwelling outside of the moment. When I give my brain license to do whatever it will, it often will run to the future and dread. It will imagine one thousand ways that I will somehow fail in my future endeavors. And it will visualize in excruciating detail my suffering and humiliation.   

My brain does this in order to cause me to avoid danger. And that is my brain’s job. 

But I am not merely my brain. My brain is a physical organ that helps me to navigate the circumstances of life. Yet, when I am conscious, my “self” remains in charge.  

If I deliberately focus my attention on meeting the challenges of the moment, then I am free to meet the challenge of the moment. But if I allow my attention to visit the dreadful, imaginary future, I will tend to take no action knowing that all hope is lost.  

“Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil.” Matt 6:34