I started writing this post at the beginning of 2022. I saved it in drafts and every time I’d go back to write, I froze.
Well, I’m not frozen anymore, nor entangled. I am entwined.
I have been pondering these two words since 2020. They are closely related and often times they are used interchangeably. But for some reason they do not sit the same in my spirit.
Merriam-Webster defines them nearly the same.
Entangle (Merriam-Webster)
– to wrap or twist together
– ensnare
– to make complicated
Entwine (Merriam-Webster)
-to twine together or around
When I read them in Scripture, I see a subtle difference that makes all the difference in the world.
The Bible says it this way:
Psalms 18:4 NLT
“The ropes of death entangled me; floods of destruction swept over me.
2 Peter 2:20 ESV
“For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first.
Psalms 27:14 TPT
Here’s what I’ve learned through it all: Don’t give up; don’t be impatient; be entwined as one with the Lord. Be brave and courageous, and never lose hope. Yes, keep on waiting—for he will never disappoint you!
Psalms 25:3 TPT
“Could anyone be disgraced when he has entwined his heart with yours? But my foes will all be defeated and ashamed when they harm the innocent.”
The mental health arena addresses these terms as well:
“Entanglement happens when the boundaries in a relationship are blurred, and the emotional well-being of one or both participants is dependent upon the other in a way that sacrifices psychological health and autonomy.” Comeback Story Counseling
“Mental wellbeing is socially embedded. It is entwined with social relationships, and interlinked with a range of factors including social class, race, gender, religion, educational level, surrounding neighbourhood characteristics, personality, or self-esteem. Social support is widely considered as essential to physical and mental wellbeing (Horwitz, 2007; Cacioppo et al., 2011; Paine and Pudrovska, 2019; Rugel et al., 2019), as family and kinship provide sources of ‘social structure in communities’ (Semu 2019:105). These support networks benefit people through their presence and content, fulfilling the human need for care and appreciation (Turner et al., 2014) and for survival and prosperity.” Mental wellbeing in a pandemic: the role of solidarity and care
As I flesh out these terms and ask the Lord what He is trying to tell me through them, I get a sense of peace and calm. I feel I am finally being obedient to His nudge, a nudge He started in 2020. I have wasted so much time since the pandemic. It’s hard to create, write or paint, when you feel disoriented, misunderstood and beaten down, whether from internal or external voices. In the profound words of Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman, “the bad things are easier to believe.” I feel shame about all the wasted time but shame is not helpful; it’s damaging. Shame is not a catalyst for change; it is paralyzing. Shame is not from God; it is from the enemy.
I am punting shame!
I also realize fear has had a grip on me. I’ve been entangled with it. Fear is strong, loud and mean. Like shame, fear can be subtle, can use Scripture against you, can be used by others to try and dictate your behavior, and make you second guess everything God says you are.
I am punting fear too!
In response to underlying fear and shame I had subconsciously shut down during and post pandemic but…
THE DROUGHT IS OVER!
God did not give us a spirit of fear.
No He didn’t!
His word says He gave us a spirit of power, love and a sound mind. Since 2020 the mind of many has taken a tremendous hit. That battlefield in our head is still the playing field the enemy attacks first BUT that enemy is a defeated foe. I needed to remember that; so I figured you may need a reminder too.
Like Jonah entangled by seaweed being dragged to the bottom of the sea, we too can feel paralyzed and at deaths door when we can’t distinguish how to come up for air again. This disorienting feeling is the exact opposite of that being entwined with the heart of the Father will do. Entwined to Him is like having a built in automatic life jacket. Whether we are knocked over board or jump of our own free will, that life jacket will bring us to the surface and keep our head above water.
I’ve come to the conclusion that entangled is the counterfeit of entwined.
Close but not!
God has always spoken to me through the arts (and not just arts labeled “Christian”) whether it be books, plays, movies, songs etc… Recently my husband and I went to the Stevie Nicks concert and Ingrid Andress opened for her. An experience I will never forget. Ingrid, like Stevie, is a master story teller and her lyrics often give words to feelings I’ve had but couldn’t articulate. Her song, Feel Like This , does just that. Although the story she tells is not mine, the gold in her songs are ours to mine.
She points out how many counterfeits start off making us feel good, loved, cared about and safe but ultimately take a toll on us, stealing our life. She also points out what the “real thing” feels like: security, stability and love that sees and believes the best in us, calling out our true identities. This is how God used her song to help restore my soul. I suggest giving any of her tunes a listen and let God use them how He will. When we help others give language to things they’ve never been able to express, we give a gift that is priceless, precious and life-giving.
Thank you Ingrid! Lyrics can often play a part in saving a life.
I have spend the last 3 1/2 years doing heart exploration and I have no doubt the excavation will continue; however, not only is my head back above water but I’m back in the boat, dry and sound minded. I do not say that with pride. I say that from my knees in complete humility! I didn’t pull that rip cord myself, as if I had a manual life jacket. Like Jonah’s automatic life jacket, that ginormous fish, brought his head above water, God brought me out of the entanglements of a pandemic, a fractured heart, menopause, a toxic codependency, a child’s pain and a brother’s death in 2020 with the life jacket of an unexpected, but glorious, move towards extended family, getting to be present for the birth of a great niece and nephew, a new church community that fosters creativity, learning to ride horses again and some new and profoundly deep, Jesus friendships to bring my head above water and bring me back to life.
Where are you today?
Do you feel entangled, tired and ready to give up? If so, God has a life jacket waiting just for you that He will inflate and use to bring your head above water. It will probably come in the most unexpected way, place and time, like Jonah’s big fish. You can never outrun the love and grace of God. Jonah tried. Remember?
Or
Do you feel entwined, held, safe, secure and stable? If so, rest in that! Create, dance, dream, share your story, laugh, sit with the broken hearted, give generously and lavish the comfort God has given you onto others.
And remember …
Because Christ said, “IT IS FINISHED”, we get the ridiculously amazing opportunity to begin again!