I asked God ‘Why?’ and He answered
What are you afraid of?
Photo by Alexandra Gorn on Unsplash
We all have fears. Snakes? Spiders? Money problems? Loss of a job? Maybe it is greater. Maybe it is something you are afraid of that you do not seem to know how to handle? Maybe it is the fear of losing your spouse to another woman. Maybe it is the fear of the future. Fear of the unknown.
There is a beautiful promise in the Word of God.
"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear." (I John 4:18)
Jesus and the apostles were no strangers to fear. The world Jesus lived and walked in was full of fear. Individuals and families were terrified of Rome, its power, and its abuse of the poor. Roman was fearful of an uprising. They feared a rebellion. There was distrust, confusion, and fear all around,
The Sadducees were fearful of the Pharisees and did not trust them. They were suspicious of the actions and motives of the Pharisees and the Pharisees were intent on ensuring everyone feared them.
It was a culture and a lfe of distrust and fear. It was a world where fear ruled and hope was small. Most importantly, people feared death.
We are no different than those of Jesus' day. We are no different than the common people that had fear of how they were going to put food on the table, pay their taxes and take care of their familiy. We have fear of death. We have fear of losing those we love or something else bad happening to us.
What do you fear? Is it death? Is it not being able to buy groceries? Is it being homeless? Is it the fear that a secret you have been hiding will be exposed? Is it the fear of losing your reputation? What do you fear?
The only one we should fear is God and when we fear God then there is no need to fear anything or anyone else.
The fear of the Lord is not the same as we associate with a fear of death or a fear of not being able to buy groceries. It's not a frigthening fear. It is a healthy, respect, and honoring fear. It is a fear built from love.
Jesus is the answer to any fear you have and when we fear God (when we love Him, serve Him, and honor Him above all else) then we have no reason to fear anything.
In Luke 12:32, Jesus tells them to "fear not". All throughout Sacred Scripture we are told to "fear not".
You are perfect. You are loved. You are valuable. You are special. You are forgiven.
Jesus calls to you, His child, and he says "Come".
He promises to relieve us of fear. "Neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor any other created thing shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39)
The love of the Lord leaves no room for fear.
Whatever you are afraid of today, give it to God. Open your hands and release it to the One that promises you that there is no fear in His presence.
About the Author
Amelia Monroe Carlson graduated from the University of North Alabama with a Bachelor’s Degree in journalism. Being raised as a Methodist during her early years, it was not until she entered college where she began to take her faith seriously. She was baptized as a Southern Baptist in Muscle Shoals, AL and began immediately serving in international missions and in the church.
During college, she became the Co-founder of an International Ministry, where she spent time traveling and speaking to church groups and in large conferences. She authored a Bible study and traveled abroad on mission work. She sat on the Mid-South Interfaith Conferences in Mississippi, where she defended the faith and discussed beliefs with leaders of various religions.
After a business trip to Washington D.C., where she was introduced to a former Baptist who converted to the Catholic Church, she was placed on a journey to enter into the Catholic Church.
Amelia is a military wife and currently residents with her husband and daughter in Tennessee. She is a nine time award winning journalist, receiving press awards for various categories including investigative journalism, best news coverage, and best single feature. It is her desire to help Catholics, particularly Cradle Catholics, see the beauty in their faith which converts see and appreciate the fullness of truth which the Church has held and guarded throughout history. It is her desire all Catholics fall as much in love with Jesus as she is, and love the Church to a greater capacity than they could imagine.
Amelia taught PRE for 4-6 grade at St. Mary Catholic Church in Bolivar, Tennessee from 2014-2016. She served as Youth Director at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church in Somerville, Tennessee in 2017-2018. She now teaches 7th grade (1st year Confirmation) PRE class at St. Philip. She's also a writer and frequent podcast guest on Our Warpath.
She has a strong devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Francis de Sales, St. Padre Pio and St. Maximilian Kolbe.
To contact Amelia for speaking inquiries at conferences, retreats, or parishes contact her via social media on Facebook (Amelia Monroe Carlson), Twitter (@2_catholic ) or send a text to: (731)518-6923.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ameliamcarlson
Twitter: @2_catholic (Catholic ministry account)
Twitter personal account: @ameliamcarlson
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