Daily reflection _ fight fear with faith

FIGHT FEAR WITH FAITH
How can we fight fear? Why are we afraid at times? Where is our faith? Whenever we encounter trouble, Jesus is there with the same reassuring message, "It is I, do not be afraid" (Jn 6:20).
Deacon John Ruscheinsky
In today's first reading from the second Book of Samuel, we see that grace is needed for repentance. We witness King David quickly responding and admitting, "I have sinned against the Lord" (2 Sm 12:13). The Lord immediately forgives David even though it is necessary that he be deprived of the fruit of his adultery. David really has no excuse for his sin, for he is favored by the Lord. He has everything he could have ever desired. When his greed lead to adultery and murder God could have washed His hands of him, but God is not that way.
What this episode tells us is that although God does not ignore sin, He is eager to grant forgiveness. He condemns sin only so that the sinner may repent, no matter how bad the sin may be. Perhaps a question you may ask is: Does it matter to God that a sinner is about to drown? It certainly does! Just as Jesus brought peace to the turbulent waters, so will God, through Jesus Christ, bring peace to the troubled heart of a sinner who repents.
Through turbulent waters and troubled times fear sets in. How can we fight fear? Why are we afraid at times? Where is our faith? Whenever we encounter trouble, Jesus is there with the same reassuring message, "It is I, do not be afraid" (Jn 6:20). Faith is an entirely free gift that God gives to all of us. Believing in ourselves and in God comes from the grace of the Holy Spirit, Who moves the heart and opens the mind to understand and accept the truth God has revealed to us. Let us pray that we will have the courage to move our will to choose what is good in accordance with God's Will.
The song lyrics from "Put One Foot In Front Of The Other" might be helpful as we reflect on today's Scriptures:
Put one foot in front of the other
And, soon you'll be walking cross the floor
Put one foot in front of the other
And soon you'll be walking out the door
You never will get where you're going
If you never get up on your feet
Come on, there's a good tail wind blowing
A fast walking man is hard to beat
If you want to change your direction
If you're time of life is at hand
Well don't be the rule be the exception
A good way to start is to stand