Fear And Faith

For my friend Linda H.

“The achievement of freedom from fear is a lifetime undertaking, one that can never be wholly completed. When under heavy attack, acute illness, or in other conditions of serious insecurity, we shall all react to this emotion – well or badly, as the case may be. Only the self deceived will claim perfect freedom from fear.”

Um Hmmm.

From the Daily Reflections once again…

“Fear has caused suffering when I could have had more faith. There are times when fear suddenly tears me apart, just when I’m experiencing feelings of joy, happiness and a lightness of heart.”

I no longer beat myself up for lack of faith. I continue to strive for more faith knowing I will never reach perfect faith. That is in direct contrast to the perfection I thought I needed to be forgiven in my early years. If my God has forgiven me and “you” won’t/can’t? Oh well! The God I understand today is a loving God (always has been, I simply didn’t see Him that way before) and because He is a loving God and He knows my heart I know He has forgiven me.

Those with angry, hate-filled, dark hearts who refuse to forgive me because I am not perfect can still affect my serenity from time to time but their importance to my peace of mind is nothing like it was years ago. Often I can be peaceful despite them and their judgments, criticisms and spewage. Why?

“Faith – and a feeling of self-worth toward a Higher Power – helps me endure tragedy and ecstasy. When I choose to give all of my fears over to my Higher Power, I will be free.”

Yep…