FEAR/FAITH

I  was given a book on grieving when my husband died.  This quote by C.S. Lewis caught by attention:  "No one ever told me that grief felt so like fear."

It seems fear embraces us when we meet grief.  It was fear that knocked at my door.  Fear of the unknown.  What will happen tomorrow, next week, next year.  I found fear was ruling my life, intruding into every situation.
It was fear that whispered advice while trying make decisions.  It was robbing me of much needed sleep.

FEAR masquerades in countless forms and under many names:  Doubt, Indecision, Procrastination, and Anxiety.

FAITH too assumes other shapes and names, but FAITH is real, fear is shadow.  FAITH met in prayer with the Almighty enabled me to say goodby to fear.  FAITH supported me as confidence in myself.

 Many years ago , Ralph Beebe saw these words written over the fireplace of the Hind's Head Hotel in  Bray-0n-Thames, not far from London:  "Fear knocked at the door, FAITH answered.  No one was there."

I have learned to keep FAITH as a constant companion.  When fear knocks at my door I send FAITH to answer.  FAITH dissolves the shadow of fear that would blot my every thought and action.

"There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear."  I John 5:18