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There is no fear in love but perfect love drives out fear
because fear has to do with punishment, and so one who fears is not yet perfect
in love.
If you want to do something perfectly stupid, act in fear.
Warriors know this. They are trained to manage their fear and respond intelligently even when the
situation seems overwhelming and hopeless. They might retreat but they don’t
flee. They may duck for cover even as they plan their next move.
The Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave has responded
to “terrorists” with paralyzing fear. Although these news-making barbarians have
had little real impact on business or commerce; although economies have risen and fallen
regardless of wars in the Mideast or bombings in Europe, security occupies center stage in our national consciousness. The more
remote the danger, the greater our fear.
And -- the more we react in fear the closer we bring the threat upon ourselves.
And -- the more we react in fear the closer we bring the threat upon ourselves.
This preoccupation of the majority with fear has
given the wealthy an ideal cover to amass ever larger fortunes – because the more
immediate the danger, the less attention we give it. The gravest threat to our American
way of life is not terrorism; it's disparity of wealth. The "Nation of the Middle Class" is disappearing before our eyes.
Jesus invites us to live without fear in the real world of constant
threat and frequent danger. That’s easy to say. Everyone
has a good reason to remain fearful. They object with but…, but… and but….
This is why Saint Paul will urge us to “Put on the armor of Christ”
which is neither medieval suits of armor nor bullet-proof vests but the
fearlessness of Jesus who leads us to Jerusalem, Calvary and Easter by way of
the Upper Room.
Wow, I never thought of it in this way. I really need to look at the things I fear in my own life. There is a self-help book called "Face the Fear and Do It Anyway." I have a long way to go. I need God.
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