We certainly have reason to be afraid these days. Frankly, there are times when I just do not want to leave my home. Fear can either protect us or debilitate us. Let’s consider both. The fear factor stops us from getting into harmful situations. However, it can also stop us from stepping outside our comfort zone.
So how does the fear factor affect our relationship with God? Fear of the Lord is actually a gift of the Holy Spirit [CCC 1831]. How can this be when Scripture tells us not to be afraid? “Do not fear: I am with you; do not be anxious: I am your God” [Isaiah 41:10].
Love of God
Our Lord is love; He gives Himself completely to us for the sake of our salvation. In return, we are called to love our Lord with all our heart, with all our mind, and with all our soul [Matthew 22:37]. Where does fear factor into that? Fear can stop us from losing God’s love.
Let us not forget our Blessed Mother’s message when she appeared before three shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal on October 13, 1917. “Do not offend the Lord our God anymore, because He is already so much offended.” Our offenses cut us off from God’s loving graces not because God stops loving us—He never stops. However, by our offenses we reject God.
Therefore, the fear of losing God’s love protects us—by the power of the Holy Spirit—from sin. What’s more, the greater our love for God, the less likely we are to be tempted to sin. Consider this: fear of losing God’s love coupled with our love for God can give us courage to adhere to God’s will, participate in Jesus’ redemptive work, and follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
Facing Our Fear
Let’s ask ourselves: Are we afraid of our love of God? The fear factor can stop us from loving God completely and from receiving God’s love completely. If we are afraid to step beyond our comfort zone to give ourselves to God, we debilitate ourselves. By holding back, we hamper our ability to love God and humanity. We also weaken our resistance to temptation which can exacerbate our fears.
I must confess I hold back from totally abandoning myself to God. The love I have for God is not strong enough to pull me far from my comfort zone. As a result, the graces and blessings I receive are proportionate to the love and trust I give. If I want more, I have to give more which I am afraid to do because I don’t know if I want the responsibility. What sacrifices will I have to make?
“It is attachment to creatures and to self-satisfaction that weakens the blessings of love in your heart. You must die to all that, if you wish the pure love of God to reign therein,” said St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. How many of us are afraid of doing that?
Regardless of our answer, let us reach out to the Sacred Heart of Jesus which is united to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Together with their love and protection, we can draw strength to allay the fears we face on our life’s journey so that we can ultimately reach our salvation in God’s loving glory. Amen!
