Facing Fear

"Everything has its wonders, even darkness and silence, and I learn,
whatever state I may be in, therein to be content."
--Helen Keller

I love this Helen Keller quote. It reminds me that there is a potential for good and wonder and joy in every situation. I know God is with me in every time, in every moment, and in every place. I need to keep that in mind, for it gives me strength and serenity.

I am afraid of the dark. When I am indoors and in pitch black, or close to it, fear grows within me. This was not always so, but for the past several years it has at times been immobilizing. In some ways I have even missed the darkness I once loved and grew to hate and fear. I have other fears in my life as well. When I let my fears control me, I lose contact with my Higher Power and I let the wrong things, mainly my fear rather than my faith determine where, when, and what I do.

Last night I spent some time awake in more blackness than I have been comfortable with since around this time 2001. I enjoyed it immensely. What a blessing. What a relief. I may not always be able to handle the dark or my other fears, but when I can face them, while doing the next right thing, staying confident in the love and safety of God, then my fears lose their power, and I can have peace and serenity and joy, even in the midst of things that would without God paralyze me with fear. I am reminded of one of my favorite scriptures as a child….that perfect love casts out fear. What a power love has. What an amazing gift from God. With the assurance of the love of my God, I do not need to be afraid….and I can know peace.