Fear can paralyze us, but faith helps us conquer that fear

Someone once said, “Two dominant energies exist in life – love and fear. Love overcomes all. At all cost, avoid fear. Fear only brings chaos.”

This is what Jesus was telling us: “Do not fear, only believe” (Mark 5:36).

“Why are you afraid, you of little faith?” (Mat 8:26).

“Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid” (Mat 14:27).

At the Last Supper, Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid” (John 14:27).

Jesus knew that fear could be a very destructive element in our lives. Fear leads to hate and resentment. When we have hate in our hearts, we know this is not of God since God is pure love.

So we feel a sense of guilt or depression. That leads to a feeling of moral and spiritual inadequacy.

Ultimately, we do not feel good about ourselves. This will take a toll on us by our becoming either physically, mentally or spiritually ill, or maybe all three.

We can have many fears: fear of the terrorists who are out to destroy us; fear of being victims of violence; fear of conflict in our families. We may be afraid of losing our job, or losing our retirement accounts, or becoming seriously sick, etc.

A prominent fear is the fear of being a failure.

A wise person once said, “Most people in society tiptoe quietly through life, arriving safely at their graves without ever reaching their potential for fear of being a failure.” F-E-A-R could stand for “False Evidence Appearing Real.” We do not face what is factual but instead we imagine the “worst- case scenario” which is often very frightening. So we are paralyzed and unable to act.

An old proverb says, “Fear will always be the thief of our dreams.”

Fear leads to excuses: “I’m not smart enough,” “I’m not old enough,” “I’m too old,” “I do not have enough resources,” etc.

Fear is the paralyzing reason that keeps us from becoming the beautiful persons that God wants us to be.

Jesus tells us that faith conquers fear. Faith helps us see the bigger picture in the midst of our struggles and convinces us that a different future is possible. Our world, our nation, our church, our parish, our family, our individual lives are far from what they could be, far from God’s kingdom of love, justice and peace.

We have to hold up a vision of what could be, of what must be, if we are to fulfill the words of the Lord’s Prayer: “Your Kingdom come, on earth as is in heaven.” We cannot let fear of whatever we are presently facing prevent us from believing that all things are possible.

When Jesus was asked to heal a young boy who had convulsions since childhood, he said, “All things can be done for the one who believes.”

Immediately the father of the child cried out, “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:23-24) Maybe that is where many people are in life: we believe but we still have fears.

The first step toward a stronger faith and away from fear is an acceptance of who God is.

God is the one who is ultimately in control. Our God is one who cares for us with a love that will never end.

Jesus showed us the face of this caring God when he lovingly poured out his life for us. Jesus constantly urged us not to be afraid, but to trust that everything is in God’s hands.

As Julian of Norwich reminded us, “All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.”