In the vast arena of life, decision of the pointers point to the time to face the fears
“Even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not be afraid! You are worth more than many sparrows “(Luke 12.7).
Photo: Daniel Mafra / cancaonova.com
They say that in the Bible, the words “be not afraid” aew written 365 times. This means that for each day in the year we have to remember that we can beat this enemy.
Even if that account is not accurate, the fact remains that in this duel “fear vs you,” God wants to make you a winner. The Lord will not fight in your place, but surely, fight by your side. I do not know if noticed, but you’re already in the arena of life, the fight is about to start. The question is who will win: you or your fear.
There are many types of fears: fear of the past, present, future; fear of people from inside and outside; fear of loneliness, crowd; fear of dying, of living; fear of man, woman. There are people who are afraid of those who are alive, some of whom are dead.
Some with fear of betrayal, other passion; others afraid of forgiveness (giving or receiving); some afraid to speak, others fear silence; some with fear of the known, others, the unknown. Anyway, there are many kinds of fear and write a list of all would be almost impossible.
I once heard Fr Rufus Pereira say that the devil is the “god of fear” and that feeling is like a praise into hell: the more a person feeds it, the more force the devil hasto do it wrong. Fear and faith are like oil and water: they do not mix. Or a person has either faith or fear. If fear wins, it eventually chokes the faith.
The fear, for the most part, comes from our imagination (as St. Teresa said, “Imagination is the mad house”); so often, fear is a manipulator, or even an illusionist, which makes you see what is not there, believing what is not true and is frightening you by ghosts that have been buried but it insists that they are alive.
In the vast arena of life, decision of the pointers point to hour when it is the time to face your fears, not unarmed, but with “the weapons of faith” (Rom 13:12). Also be sure that every fighter always has a coach who tells you what to do. His is Jesus, the One who says, “Do not be afraid, little flock, for it pleased your Father to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32).
Who does not have the courage to face their fears never find he’s bigger than them, no matter what name they have; you can not fight back, that’s the panic position, it is a losing position. In the struggle between fear and you, believe that the belt of victory is yours.
Father Sosthenes Vieira
New Song Community