What are You Afraid of?
It has been said that every generation "thinks" it lives in a time unlike all others. Perhaps we do all like to think that our own age is a special time which no one else has faced before. Certainly every generation has it own challenges, or as one of my mentors likes to say, "each generation has its own giants to fight." One of the giants that many people fight today is fear. Fear of the unknown. Fear of terrorists. Fear of disease. Fear of death. Fear of living. There are many people who spend their lives in fear. Unfortunately for many people the giants are winning.
There have been times when I have fought against fear. Fear can keep me from leaving the house for days at a time. In my case it is not the fear of people per se, but the fear of certain things that I know I need to accomplish. So rather than getting out there in the world and succeeding (or failing) I stay in the house. While I'm not actually hiding under the covers of the bed, I might as well be.
Sometimes I need to meditate on the ancient wisdom I say I believe, in order to get myself moving. It works if I don't wait too late to begin. If I do wait, then I just have to start all over the next day. That's probably why some cultures say the day really starts the evening before. That way when I get up the next day I'm ready to begin.
This is one of the texts that I meditate:
Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. For he will rescue me from every trap and protect me from deadly disease. He will cover me with his feathers. He will shelter me with his wings. His faithful promises are my armor and protection. I will not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day. I will not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. Though a thousand fall at my side, though ten thousand are dying around me, these evils will not touch me. I just open my eyes, and see how the wicked are rewarded. If I make the Lord my refuge, if I make the Most High my shelter, no evil will conquer me; no plague will come near my home. For he will order his angels to protect me wherever I go. They will hold me up with their hands so I won't even hurt my foot on a stone. I will trample upon lions and cobras; I will crush fierce lions and serpents under my feet!
The Lord says, "I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation."
~psalm 91
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posted by rachman | 11:14 PM
6 Comments:
"The Lord says, "I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name"
I wonder how many TRULY trust and love. It seems that most people, including myself, pay lip service to love and trust while secretly being full of doubts.
I suppose that most of us have doubts of one kind or another. Some doubt the existence of God, while others doubt that the word of God is true, or question that the worship of God in today's world is even relevant, and so forth. We are all at various levels and some of us seek truth while others of us do not. So the only thing that I can do is share with you the level where I live.
I perceive that you are sincere in your question and statement, "how many TRULY trust and love." In my imperfect way I give you my answer. I think that all children TRULY trust and love until they are taught to do otherwise. The delightful children you teach would be an example. At ten they are (alas) already begining to doubt rather than trust. As adults we have to relearn how to trust and love.
Matthew 18:2-4 in the New Living Translation says:
Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. Then he said, "I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven."
And Luke 18:17 says:
I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.”
This is the only way I believe that we can begin to trust and love after adulthood sets in. Forgive me if I seem too forward or too much of a "Bible-thumper," but that is the level I'm on.
As I've read your posts and comments, I've come to know a part of you, Rob. May I say in the most manly way possible that I love you. I wish you the best and I hope I haven't put you off too much.
~r
I appreciate your warmth and friendship.
Although I am not, nor ever have been, attracted to any of the world's great religions I keep finding great wisdom in the Scriptures of these faiths. I suspect that the belief systems of these different faiths are more similar than different.
The two quotes from the Bible that you mention are wise indeed.
Rob, you're very kind. As always I'm glad you've dropped by.
Later my friend~rachman
One of the verse I like is John 16:33
...but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
That verse always helped me to face my fears. But, new fears seem to replace old ones.
I also like what FDR said, There is nothing to fear but fear itself.
Good luck to you.
Hi Scott, thanks for sharing one of the verses that comforts you. I appreciate you dropping by. I've been pretty busy at work the last week or so and when I finally got a weekend off, I just wanted to "vegg" out for a while. Sat at home and watched some borrowed movies--didn't even turn on the computer. I guess it's time to get busy on this new year. Good to hear from you. Talk to you later.
~r
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