Overcoming Fear
08/04/08 01:23 Filed in: Fear
Courage is doing the best you can, when you know it might not be enough. It’s having the conviction – faith – in a power greater than yourself and the willingness to risk because it is the right thing to do under the circumstances.
“In the world you shall have distress: but have confidence, I have overcome the world.” (John 16: 29-33)
Fear is a recurring theme in the Bible, mentioned 326 times compared to 121 mentions for the word prayer. The world can be a scary place. There are plenty of perils to get our hearts pounding, knees knocking and palms sweating. But in today's Gospel, Jesus tells His followers to be courageous.
Yes, some fears are well founded. Proverbs 9:10 says, "The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom; and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." A healthy sense of fear can save us from serious harm while those who act recklessly are daredevils.
But many fears are unrealistic and can prevent us from achieving all we are meant to do with our lives. Those fears can be overcome by praying and by surrounding ourselves with people who exhort us to face our fears and act boldly.
Dorothy Bernard put it this way: "Courage is fear that has said its prayers."
Courage is doing the best you can, when you know it might not be enough. It’s having the conviction – faith – in a power greater than yourself and the willingness to risk because it is the right thing to do under the circumstances.
At times, that faith may prompt us to throw caution to the wind and act decisively in ways that will not be understood by the world. Yet, we are able to muster the courage to do so because Jesus told us He has conquered the world.
Like Saint Paul, we are able to say, "I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me."
Fear is a recurring theme in the Bible, mentioned 326 times compared to 121 mentions for the word prayer. The world can be a scary place. There are plenty of perils to get our hearts pounding, knees knocking and palms sweating. But in today's Gospel, Jesus tells His followers to be courageous.
Yes, some fears are well founded. Proverbs 9:10 says, "The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom; and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." A healthy sense of fear can save us from serious harm while those who act recklessly are daredevils.
But many fears are unrealistic and can prevent us from achieving all we are meant to do with our lives. Those fears can be overcome by praying and by surrounding ourselves with people who exhort us to face our fears and act boldly.
Dorothy Bernard put it this way: "Courage is fear that has said its prayers."
Courage is doing the best you can, when you know it might not be enough. It’s having the conviction – faith – in a power greater than yourself and the willingness to risk because it is the right thing to do under the circumstances.
At times, that faith may prompt us to throw caution to the wind and act decisively in ways that will not be understood by the world. Yet, we are able to muster the courage to do so because Jesus told us He has conquered the world.
Like Saint Paul, we are able to say, "I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me."
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