Be Not Afraid

The angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord" (Luke 2:11). This is the heralding of the Good News of Jesus the Christ, which we hear most often at Christmastime. Throughout Sacred Scripture, the messages from God, whether from angels or Jesus Himself, are prefaced with "Do not be afraid." Pope John Paul II's homilies and speeches were marked by our Lord's Words "Be Not Afraid." So often, we are faced with fears that keep us from the best that love and life have to offer. I'm not talking about the kind of fear that protects us and keeps us out of harm's way. I'm talking about the kind of fear that is instilled in us by lies. Lies we tell ourselves, lies others tell us about ourselves, lies others tell us about others. Fear can be debilitating, and it can cause us to make poor decisions. It can cause us to stop believing in ourselves and those we love. It can cause us to not love and respect those who are different from ourselves. I truly believe that the opposite of love is not hate, but fear. Fear is at the root of everything that is the antithesis of love... anger, hate, gossip, fighting, war, back-biting, break down in communication; and also discouragement, loss of hope, and lack of joy. As I told a friend recently, I have made so many mistakes in my life... all based on fear. But, I can't fall into the trap of believing that every decision I have made has been wrong. When I find myself looking back at some of my decisions, I try to remind myself "that all things work for good" (Romans 8:28). Now when I make decisions, I try very hard to let "peace" be my deciding factor (Colossians 3:15). Very often when I seek God's direction, the Words that I hear from Him are Do Not be Afraid. That is usually a pretty good indicator to me to move forward with something or, at the very least, that whatever decision I make will not steer me in the wrong direction in a particular situation. It helps me to remember that God is with me always. "Fear not, I am with you; be not dismayed; I am your God. I will strengthen you, and help you, and uphold you with my right hand of justice" (Isaiah 41:10). In the words of our beautiful Lord, "Do not be afraid; just have faith (Mark 5:36). I pray that you will find the courage to trust in the Lord, resist fear, and live a life of love. Remember always Jesus' Words: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid" (John 14:27).