Managing Fear

May 20 Tuesday of the 5th week of Easter: 

A thought for those who want to reveal the risen Jesus in their lifestyle.

Acts 14:19-28; Psalm 145:10-11, 12-13, 21; John 14:27-31

“Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27

Proclaiming the Good News is not always safe. “They stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead.” And that wasn’t all. He lists “imprisonments, countless floggings… danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers and sisters…” (2 Corinthians 11:23). Not everyone liked the Good News.

That is still true today. Many people do not like prophets challenging them to make personal decisions about religion. If they just do what the law says, they don’t have to think about it. That gives them a sense of security they think they will lose if they interact personally with God. When that security is threatened, they can turn vicious.

Jesus was killed for calling Jews to go beyond Jewish law. Catholics persecute Catholics who call them beyond Catholic cultural conformity. Jesus said, “Servants are not greater than their master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you.” But his bottom line is always, “Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.”

The way we die to fears is simply to act against them. The emotions don't go away. But if we choose to act as if they did not exist, we will free ourselves to live.

PRAY: “Lord, be my strength.”

PRACTICE: When afraid, say, “Lord, do this with me, do this in me, do this through me.”