Do not be afraid; it is I.

My dear husband fears financial ruin. (A bit melodramatically at times, but yes, he does fear it.) I am afraid that my lifelong habit of procrastination will sabotage my attempts to serve God. I fear that my writing is mediocre. I fear the power of darkness over friends I love. I am afraid of getting fat. I am in terror of sticking my foot in my mouth when trying to be well-meaning or friendly. And I fear other things as well, too numerous and deep-rooted to mention.

Well, this world is full of things that make us afraid. What I fear is peanuts to what some others face.

I am not normally a fearful person. Most days I am filled with confidence and hope. But at times I have been completely overtaken with fear, and I remember those times. Following is something I have written to work my way through it:

You are not alone. This is a big storm, but you are not alone. What is this fear? It is a block of wood in your chest that keeps you from breathing. It is your heart beating like a hammer. It is a wave that has risen suddenly over your little boat, a vicious wave, a wave that can drown you. Yes, there are things in this world that can drown you; they are evil. They intend evil for you. This wave is one of those. What if what you fear the most really happens? You look at the wave, and think that there is no way out. But listen, listen. Take your eyes off the wave for a moment. Take your mind away from it. Listen with all you are worth. Listen to save your life. There is a voice: "Do not be afraid." This is a command, spoken by someone you love. Who is it? "It is I." There is no need to ask who; you know this voice. It is the voice of the one who made you. Somehow, in this mess of fear, in this mess of your life, he stands. There, you can see him. The wind still buffets you, the wave still towers over you. But listen to what he is saying. "Yes, the worst can happen. The worst may happen. But I have dealt with the evil things. You are safe. Do not be afraid." Trust this voice. Remember his name. Emmanuel, God with us. You are not alone.

The things I fear the most are the things I have the least power over. Do I have power? No. Does Christ? Yes. I can make the decision to rest, to let go, to breathe. He allowed the powers of hell to do their worst to him, so that they would not be allowed to do their worst to me. It is the voice of that one who says, "Do not be afraid."