Keeping fear at bay with faith

"Why are you terrified, o you of little faith?" (Matthew 8:26). "There's nothing to be afraid of! I've got you!"

As a parent, I have uttered the latter words to my children more times than I can recall. Relying on their trust in me, coupled with the fact I have never knowingly let them down, all inhibitions are released as faith takes hold.

Why, then, is this so difficult for me? Every week at Mass we pray the Lord's Prayer, asking the Lord to release us from all anxiety as we wait in joyful hope for the return of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Why do I expect my children to let go and trust, but I can't do the same?

Our nation has been governed by fear for too long. As a nation, we fear terrorism and war. As a state, we fear our elected leaders, embroiled in dishonesty and scandal, are taking advantage of us.

As a parish, we fear declining attendance as judgmental and criticizing leaders drive more neighbors away. As a family, we fear unemployment and losing all we have obtained. As a parent, we fear failure and the long-term damage to our children if we actually tell them, "No." Every evening, our family comes to the table for dinner. We begin each meal by thanking God for all of the blessings in our lives and the gifts we are about to receive.

Reflecting on our prayer of thanks, I find myself redirected to Matthew 8:26. Why am I afraid? Though our family has endured unemployment, financial hardships and unexpected loss, it absolutely must be acknowledged that we have always been in the Lord's care.

Our needs have always been met, with obstacles forcing us to pray and reflect. As holds true with many, it is in working through the tribulations that clarity is obtained.

When our family faced the most recent job loss, I did not worry. Secure in the knowledge God will provide, our family re-evaluated the difference between wants and needs. In doing so, we have become a less wasteful family, growing our own vegetables, raising chickens and giving thanks for resources to pay the bills.

Thinking has been realigned regarding spending as we bid adieu to credit cards and loans. We give thanks for new employment that complements the family unit rather than takes away from it. Indeed, God is good.

It is time for us to reflect upon this question posed to us: Why are we so afraid, us people of little faith? Surely, we must hear God's voice reverberating in our lives: "There's nothing to be afraid of! I've got you!"

(Beth Hazelton lives in Selkirk and attends St. Mary's parish in Coxsackie.)

(11/05/09)