“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple.” Psalm 27:1&4
These verses from our Psalm reading today have been go-to favorites for eons, especially after going through a rough patch years ago when fear was a constant companion.
By God’s grace (love & mercy) the wells of divine healing flowed long and deep in my heart and life relieving me of debilitating fear(s), but that’s the flunky thing about fear.
There are so many kinds.
Sometimes the opposite of faith is not doubt, but fear.
The Angel Gabriel told Mary, “Fear not.”
Mary had to face her fears, and there were lots of things to fear.
What would Joseph think? (Stoning her to death was an option.)
What would others think? (Reputation? Ridicule? Retribution?)
What would change do to her? (To her person, her life, her family?)
How could she face the unknown? (Not knowing?)
Yet, Mary chose to say “no!” to her fears and ‘yes’ to God.
‘Yes’ to hope – with courage, trust, love and joy.
That’s faith.
Be not afraid…
“But I repeat, do not fear: Jesus is with you, and you are with Him! In darkness, tribulation, anxiety of spirit, Jesus is with you… I assure you that Jesus is holding you more tightly than ever to His divine heart.” Padre Pio (Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, OFM)
grace, peace & courageous faith
Virginia : )
Roses in the Rubble 
I keep these words close to my heart often. I have anxiety and sometimes I need to be reminded to “fear not”.
I often need a daily reminder to ‘fear not’ – it helps I have a plaque wth these verses on my bedroom wall (just below the picture of Jesus embracing the lamb.) Don’t need to fear ‘cause Jesus is near. Blessings Michele! 🙏💕🌟💕🙏
Wonderfully written and illustrated❣️
Thank you, Cin – that Jesus & lamb picture (framed many years ago) has been such a comfort along with all the fear not verses: Ps 27:1; Isaiah 41:10; Joshua 1:9, Ps 23 … peace & love! 🕊🌷🕊💕🕊
“Fear not” is a good thing to remind ourselves, not only at Advent but throughout the year! (Love the last photo with the lamb, too!)
All year courage reminders needed for this red head, Debbie! The lamb pic is actually a photo of a picture I’ve had on my wall for eons (since college, seems like eons.) It goes with a plaque of Ps. 27:1 (matching frames) & has been a real comfort at times. 🙏🐑🙏
I didn’t realize you’re a redhead, Virginia — I don’t guess I’ve ever met a ginger-haired Virginia before, ha!
Well Debbie, now you know a redhead Virginia – still brightly red, altho noticed a bit of strawberry blond here & there (maybe slightly grayish?) Blessings! 🌷🤪🌷
Thank you Virginia… at this time every reminder that Jesus is with me… is very needed… Diane
Diane – just returned from a Christmas concert where choir sang a lovey rendition of an unusual Emmanuel song. Emmanuel = God with us = Jesus. Hugs!! 🌟🌷🌟🤗🌟🙏🌟
Beautiful reflection Virginia! Happy Feast day of The Immaculate Conception! ❤
Thank you, Patty. Hope that this Feast day was extra special for you – blessings & hugs! 🌷🌟🌷🤗🌷🌟🌷