When life gets stormy, when the boat begins to rock, when things seem to be getting out of control or when something tragic happens in our life, we wonder about this God who is in control. We wonder whether or not he cares what happens to us. We wonder whether or not we can trust him to make things right.
One of the problems of our time is that most of us are trying to cope with chronic fears: fear of financial insecurity, fear of not being wanted, fear of getting old, fear of “big government,” fear of “big business,” fear of crime-in-the streets,” etc., etc., etc.
No matter what our fears, our chronic fears send signals to the body, keeping it in a constant state of readiness: the “fight or flight” syndrome. And, eventually, the excessively fearful begin to experience physical symptoms. They become confused. They are unable to sort out legitimate fears from false fears. And they begin to do terrible things to other people.
The story of Jesus’ birth begins with the Angel saying to Mary, “Fear not!” Then, over and over again in the Gospels, Jesus says to his disciples, “Do not be afraid…Fear not… I am with you.”
Don’t suppress your fears. Take the lid off and identify them. They may be very personal. Or they may rise out of a sense of apocalyptic doom that many today seem to suffer from. Whatever they are, let them surface now. And let the Spirit of Christ touch you at the point of your fears. Let the Spirit of Christ help you to uncover new possibilities for your life. Let peace be within you, in the Spirit of Christ.
It is when we are in the presence of Christ that we are utterly secure. God with all his power is with us when the forces of chaos descend upon us. He knows what we face.
God gives us peace in the storms of anxiety which can attack this life. The enemy of peace is worry, worry for ourselves, worry about the unknown future, worry about those we love. But Jesus speaks to us of a Father whose hand will never cause his child a needless tear and of a love beyond which neither we nor those we love can ever drift. In the storm of anxiety God brings us the peace of the love of God.
God bless! Have a wonderful week!
By the way – did you know that you can continue to be a good steward even when your earthly life has ended? Please consider remembering St. Theodore’s Parish in your will. It will help us keep our ministries vital and to serve more people. Many thanks!