A Sunday Thought About Being Fearless to Start the Week Off Right
The past couple of weeks brought a good dose of fear for those of us in the financial services industry as headlines about the stock market's dramatic tumble dominated the news. Whether of not you work in the financial services industry, even if you don't have your money invested in stocks, you could feel the fear in the air. It was almost 2008 again. Then it kind of eased up a bit.
Still, that "fear" lingers. Some have even begun beating the ominous drum of "gloom and doom": The economy is imploding; I told you it was coming. But whether you're feeling "something's not quite right," or you're steadily pounding your percussion mallets awaiting the end of the world, this latest round of fear should remind us that, in a certain sense, fear and Catholicism really don't mix. When you think about it, if your faith is strong, why should you fear anything? In the end, everything's in God's hands; everything proceeds according to His Will. (We've been talking about this in our weekday posts.)
You might even say that when we let fear get the best of us, or even when we worry excessively, we should ask ourselves just how strong a faith we really possess. In fact, I wonder if the prevalence of "anxiety" in our world might not be primarily the result of a lack of faith. Let's face it, serious belief in the truths of our Catholic Faith has steadily diminished for decades, if not centuries. Atheism and agnosticism highlight the secularization of our current society and culture. Even those of us who believe in God in some way frequently follow a rather watered down religion, and I'm thinking especially of those Catholics who subscribe to a kind of "Catholic lite" typically described as "Cafeteria Catholics." Watered down religion just doesn't cut it when it comes to bolstering us against anxiety, worry, and fear. Maybe that's why so many people take various "anti-anxiety" drugs, in addition to some sort of prescription to help them sleep at night.
Now, I'm not saying it's easy to totally trust in Divine Providence, to never ever be subject to fear, or worry, or even the slightest inkling of anxiety. Personally, I expect a bit of a personal struggle with this in the coming weeks bring another and bigger bout of financial market brouhaha. (Not saying that will happen; just that I wouldn't be shocked if it did.) And I'm sure you can think of one or more areas of your life that cause you to break into a sweat if not full-blown he-be-jeebies. But can we agree that, at least in principle, we Catholics should have a deep and close relationship with God, such that our trust could never (or almost never) cause us to fear whatever life throws our way?
Listen, don't take my word for it. Just read these powerful words of one of the great spiritual directors and writers in our Church's glorious history. You'll find these three short paragraphs not only explain why we need never worry about anything, but exactly how to confront and conquer our fears, worries, and even those annoying bouts of anxiety once and for all., starting RIGHT NOW.
With such wonderful thoughts we leave you to enjoy this long Labor Day holiday weekend. Praise God!
Still, that "fear" lingers. Some have even begun beating the ominous drum of "gloom and doom": The economy is imploding; I told you it was coming. But whether you're feeling "something's not quite right," or you're steadily pounding your percussion mallets awaiting the end of the world, this latest round of fear should remind us that, in a certain sense, fear and Catholicism really don't mix. When you think about it, if your faith is strong, why should you fear anything? In the end, everything's in God's hands; everything proceeds according to His Will. (We've been talking about this in our weekday posts.)
You might even say that when we let fear get the best of us, or even when we worry excessively, we should ask ourselves just how strong a faith we really possess. In fact, I wonder if the prevalence of "anxiety" in our world might not be primarily the result of a lack of faith. Let's face it, serious belief in the truths of our Catholic Faith has steadily diminished for decades, if not centuries. Atheism and agnosticism highlight the secularization of our current society and culture. Even those of us who believe in God in some way frequently follow a rather watered down religion, and I'm thinking especially of those Catholics who subscribe to a kind of "Catholic lite" typically described as "Cafeteria Catholics." Watered down religion just doesn't cut it when it comes to bolstering us against anxiety, worry, and fear. Maybe that's why so many people take various "anti-anxiety" drugs, in addition to some sort of prescription to help them sleep at night.
Now, I'm not saying it's easy to totally trust in Divine Providence, to never ever be subject to fear, or worry, or even the slightest inkling of anxiety. Personally, I expect a bit of a personal struggle with this in the coming weeks bring another and bigger bout of financial market brouhaha. (Not saying that will happen; just that I wouldn't be shocked if it did.) And I'm sure you can think of one or more areas of your life that cause you to break into a sweat if not full-blown he-be-jeebies. But can we agree that, at least in principle, we Catholics should have a deep and close relationship with God, such that our trust could never (or almost never) cause us to fear whatever life throws our way?
Listen, don't take my word for it. Just read these powerful words of one of the great spiritual directors and writers in our Church's glorious history. You'll find these three short paragraphs not only explain why we need never worry about anything, but exactly how to confront and conquer our fears, worries, and even those annoying bouts of anxiety once and for all., starting RIGHT NOW.
“Try to draw closer each day the bonds of union with Him, thinking often of His dwelling within your soul, and so making your heart beat in union with His; that is, seeking and wishing for only His adorable will in all things, even the smallest. This will conquer all worries, for nothing which comes from the loving hand of God can ever be a worry to us.”Father's advice, clear, bold, and rich deserves re-reading, meditation, then practice. Practice makes perfect. We shouldn't allow these words to just evaporate into the cold, dead space of the past. Drawing closer to God results in fearless living, with little worry and no anxiety. He wants our happiness, usually more than we want it for ourselves.
“God wants you to suffer willingly. Many rebel and fight against what God gives them; many more take their cross in a resigned ‘can’t be helped’ spirit; but very few look upon these things as real blessings and kiss the hand that strikes them.”
“Try to take your days one by one as they come to you. The hard things of yesterday are past, and you are not asked to bear what tomorrow may have in store; so that the cross is really light when you take it bit by bit.” (Father William Doyle, S.J., 1873-1917)
With such wonderful thoughts we leave you to enjoy this long Labor Day holiday weekend. Praise God!
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