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).
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