“Do not be afraid,” is found sixty-seven times in the Bible (NRSV -New Revised Standard Version). In every case this message is coming from God, either directly or indirectly. That’s powerful! God’s reality is one of possibility, solution, and love. As a human emotion fear has its rightful place. It alerts us to some outer condition we need to pay attention to. But once fear has gotten our attention, the place to put our mind is on God. Think about God’s qualities—love, infinite creativity, goodness, power, joy, life, and on and on. What would you add to this list? Realize that every one of these qualities is also in you and with you. Put what you are afraid of right up close to one or all of God’s qualities and see what happens. Mostly likely your fear begins to dissolve. As its grip lessens new hopeful ideas land and you have the energy to go forward. Fear is a gift from God that is meant to sound the warning bell. It’s not intended as a place to hang out. Keep close to your heart what our Brother Jesus knew about our Father-Mother God, “Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom,” Luke 12:32. Trust in God’s constant message, “Do not be afraid.”
In the Love and Light of the Christ,
Rev. Anna
