A World in Crisis: 5 Easy Ways to "Be Not Afraid"

Be not afraid. According to the online Bible Gateway, a helpful Bible reference resource, this phrase is used 97 times in the Holy Bible, and for good reason.

Be not afraid, regardless of how the world appears, we must 'walk by faith, not by sight.'

 Highlights

By Adele M Gill, RN, BSN, CC

Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

9/22/2014 (Now)

Published in Blog

Keywords: mental health, health, fear,anxiety, ISIS, Al Qaeda, persecuted Christians, faith, love

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As with the case of the Christian persecutions in Syria and Iraq by ISIS, this all leaves news readers and media viewers feeling afraid, uncomfortable, unsettled, and weary, wondering if the world has gone mad, and if these may be biblical 'End Times.' One can even quickly get that sense from going on Social Media such as Twitter, Facebook, and by reading various blogs.

As Catholic Christians, among others, we must find a way to unplug a bit and regain our composure lest our blood pressure rise, our physical health fall, and mental health suffer, as well. For fear is an insidious, life-changing toxic enemy that can leave one feeling hopeless; and it is the precursor to depression. Fear often manifests as anxiety first and foremost, extinguishing hope, while building up obstacles and walls within oneself and eventually spills over into relationships leaving the fearful in a state of feeling utterly alone. Clearly, fear is a dead-end road that is to be avoided at all costs.

So what is the polar opposite of fear? It is faith in God. Here are some easy ways to quell fear and put it in its place:

5 Easy Ways to 'Be Not Afraid!'
1) Important Bed Time Reading
Gone are the days of watching the news just before going to bed, for the ramped up intensity of the local and global events can easily thrust one into a protracted case of insomnia, preventing one from getting a good nights' sleep, and setting the stage for daytime anxiety. However, reading a daily devotional such as Our Daily Bread, or Bible passages at bedtime, such as the Psalms or Philippians are positive steps in fighting fear and faith building.

 2) Limit your Exposure to Global News
Too much of anything can become a problem, and may even stoke the fires of fear, anxiety and depression. And watching news for more than 1 hour per day may be bad for your physical and mental health. Be sure and be aware of just what you are exposing yourself to on a daily basis. Also, when obtaining news, try to put aside your political affiliation, and look at things through the lens of biblical truth. It likely will decrease any ambivalence you may have about biblical truth and the World at-large.

 3) Join a Bible Study or faith-sharing small group
The Bible shows us again and again how important and helpful it can be to have regular contact with a striving faith community. If you attend church, great! If not, you may want to consider joining one to surround yourself with other believers.

 4) Pray in Gratitude to God
When praying, be sure and ask God for whatever you need, and be specific as possible. If you are specific with God, He will be specific in answering your prayers. Also, incorporate gratitude to God into your prayers. Gratitude and praise are the cornerstone to a grateful, fearless heart as you come to realize that God is in control!

 5) The Joy of the Lord is Your Strength / Nehemiah 8:10
Lastly, walk in the confidence that 'The joy of the Lord is your strength. On our own, we can do nothing, but "If God is for us, who can be against? "For God so loved the World that He gave His only Son.

Regardless of how the World appears, we must 'walk by faith, not by sight.' As Bible reading Catholic Christians, we know how the story ends; Satan and evil cannot dispel the fact that God is in charge of Heaven and earth. Period!                                

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© 2014 - Distributed by THE NEWS CONSORTIUM  / 
Published on Catholic Online 9/22/14

Today we are focusing on PEACE, a blessed treasure bestowed on us by Jesus Himself. Peace within you, peace emanating from you, peace surrounding you, peaceful decisions, all things peace. For without peace in our hearts, what chance do we have for peace in this world?

Before Jesus left the apostles, on Pentecost, He sent an awe-inspiring gift to them, the Holy Spirit, and His Holy Spirit continues to profoundly bless His people with the 9 Fruits of the Spirit, even today. And what are the fruit of the Spirit? The holy Bible tells us they are "love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." There will never be an effective law that will prevent you from being kind and good and loving to others, and believing in your heart that Jesus is Lord, because such qualities are from God Himself!

People will come and go in your life and mine. Some will live peaceful lives and follow Jesus and others will choose not to do so. However, you will know those who are Christian by their Holy Spirit fruits...By their love. The Fruit of the Holy Spirit allows us to experience a taste of the afterlife right here and now. When we see people who are kind, who turn the other cheek when someone hurts them... When you see a person with great love, gentleness, and deep abiding peace, even  in serious adversity...When you see someone lay down their guns and knives to help another in need...When you see someone share their humble meal with another who is hungry and thirsty or give another their coat...These are all signs of Jesus' Holy Spirit at work!

After hearing this, some of you may feel a stirring in your spirit to live a new life. Some of you may even feel called to give your life to Jesus Christ today. If that is the case, please bow your head and pray aloud with me now:

Dear Lord,
You are the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. Though I am a sinner, I repent of my sins now, ask for your forgiveness and invite you to come into my life as my personal Lord and Savior. Send the Fruit of the Spirit into my heart and mind this hour, this day, and help me live my new life in you. Amen!

Adele M. Gill  2014  Copyright

"Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, so that you may judge what is God’s will, what is good, pleasing and perfect."      Romans 12:1-2

Today's New Testament Scripture reminds us that the ways of the world, and God's way, clearly lead us onto different paths in life--and different ways of thinking--as this world takes all kinds...The world tells us in so many subtle and not so subtle ways that we are always expected to be strong, confident, 'perfect,' and right at every turn; and a worldly view focuses more on survival of the fittest than turn the other cheek. The world often defines a person through the lenses of allegiance and past mistakes, while the Bible tells Christians to look beyond and recognize that good and blessings exist in every person, and every circumstance.

"All things work for good for those who love God."  Romans 8:28 

Faith-filled followers of Jesus are called to lovingly accept others for who they are in the here and now without making snap judgments of them in days gone by. They are more apt to embrace reconciliation with others as an opportunity, rather than reiterating the shortcomings of others and 'building camps' to the detriment of all involved. 

Beyond trials and strife, as calmer heads, benevolence and true wisdom prevail, and it always does in the end, what matters most to believing Christians is what is God's Will in challenging circumstances. 

For "If God is for us, who can be against us?!?"

And to that end, even if they must at times step away from those who hurt them, believing Christians are mandated to put aside hurt feelings and all discord, and try their level best to leave the proverbial door open for reconciliation with friends and enemies alike.

                                                              Adele M. Gill   2014  Copyright

5 "The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee.There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” Matthew 28:5-7

Of all the people surrounding and following Jesus, Mary Magdalene is one of the most interesting of all. In fact, she is my favorite saint! Even at His crucifixion, Mary Magdalene stood and wept with Jesus' mother Mary. In this Scripture today, we see that she is the one at Mary's side that Jesus chose to tell humanity about His resurrection. He could have chosen anyone to herald this startling and life-giving news, but it was His close friend, Mary Magdalene, who had this awe-inspiring privilege to see the empty tomb, even before the apostles, and send them on to Galilee!

Partly why we can learn so much from Mary Magdalene is that she was a woman of great faith with a storied past. Yet Scripture tells us there is no sin that cannot be forgiven in Jesus name. There is no sin so dire that it is beyond God's healing reach.

In essence, Scripture leads us to believe that she  'did a lot of living' before coming to Jesus' side as his close, blessed friend and confidant. In that way, she was a commoner, a repentant sinner, that was welcomed by Jesus with open arms despite her seeming past.

Jesus' had a profound love for Mary Magdalene, and she became a big part of his unparalleled ministry to humanity as Savior of the world. In fact, that is the very same love He has for you and for me, my friend. What greater love can there be than to lay down one's life for mankind?
                                                         Adele M. Gill   2014  Copyright

When Your Faith is Tested

 “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”

                                                                      James 1:2-3

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As surely as you and I have faith, it will be tested! I don’t know about you, but my faith has really been tested these past few weeks. You know the kind of week(s) I am talking about…Everything seems to go wrong, and you are left feeling turned around, lost and vulnerable. This vulnerability can fester, and leave you feeling that The Prince of Darkness seems to be in charge of ruining your everyday life, and you are powerless over your destiny. But perhaps it’s time to think again…

"All things work for good for those who love God!" [Romans 8:28]

The real truth is, that though Satan’ purpose for being...his mission, is to rob and destroy our calm, peace and joy, leaving us in a state of confusion,chaos, fear and trepidation. But he only succeeds if we let him. After all, the Bible tells us that Jesus has already conquered Satan and his evil tactics by shedding His blood on the cross for us. The battle has already been won by Jesus, the Savior of the World who died on the cross for your freedom and for mine, and HE IS the all-powerful Lord. He IS the one who protects us, guides us, and brings discernment, comfort and all that is good through the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus IS the one who fights the battles of the faithful, both with us and, yes, even for us when we are weak and weary, and He is also the one who allows The Oppressor to slink away into the sunset at the very NAME of Jesus!

So the next time you are feeling weary, sick, low, negative, or overwhelmed, take a deep breath and quietly praise God saying the name of Jesus repeatedly until your peace returns... And it will. Praise Jesus even when the outcome appears bleak... You see, God’s peace, and the chaos and fear imparted by The Oppressor simply cannot coexist in this world. It is a choice one must make hourly and daily as to whom will you give power in your life. 

As for me, the Lord is my strength; my peace comes from the Lord!

Dear Father God,

I claim your peace over my life and ask you to put an end to Satan’s sordid lies, and destruction. Be with me and my loved ones always, and shower us with your great gifts of unconditional love, peace, joy, discernment, comfort, protection and salvation. Help us to stay close to you and walk in your ways all the days of this life. Please evict The Great Intruder, and send him back to hell where he belongs for all of eternity. Infuse me with steadfast faith, Lord. I ask all this through Jesus Christ, Your Son, Our Lord. For Thine is the power and the glory, now and forever. Amen!

Chaplain Adele M. Gill   2014   Copyright

Pray Fervently For Whatever You Need!

Proverbs 3:6

"Seek God's Will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take"

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Ever wonder if you are on the 'right track' in your life? Seek God's Divine Will for your life in prayerful discernment, and He will reveal it to you in good time.

For God has a special plan for every soul...No one is exempt! As Christians we are called, above all, to love the Lord and one another as He has loved us. To that end, we are called to encourage each other along, and to be kind, loving, and live as harmoniously as possible.

We are especially called to praise God and pray fervently for whatever is needed for ourselves and others, to forgive others as we want to be forgiven, and to assist the poor and the sick. By so doing, the fruit of the Holy Spirit will be revealed in you and relayed through you to others: Peace, Love, Joy, Kindness, Steadfastness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Goodness, and Self-Control...
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Dear Lord, I thank you this day and praise you for having a plan for me and my life. Send your Holy Spirit now, so that I can fully follow you with complete abandon, while focusing on what is most important in my life. Teach me Your ways, and help me to hunger and thirst for Your truth, while bringing Your light wherever I go. Look with favor on me and my family, Lord, and help us live out the life you have for us. I ask all this in Jesus' name. Amen!

                                                      Copyright   2014  Adele M. Gill  

The Road to Forgiveness

15 “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ 17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector."

18 “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."  Matthew 18:15-18

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I have a friend who is deeply hurt and offended by something that his brother did to him recently. Close friends for a lifetime, there is now a seemingly endless river dividing the the two. Not only are they no longer close, they are not speaking because of what happened...a burden for both of them and their families that could, theoretically, continue for decades if left unchecked.

Today's Scripture tells us that we must try our level best to reconcile with others, even if we are the one that has sustained the offense. In essence, we are led to and through the prescribed biblical process of reconciliation before turning away from those who hurt us. Even then, if reconciliation efforts fail, we as Christians are called to 'turn the other cheek.'

In light of our humanness and pride, forgiveness can be quite a challenge. For forgiveness is often a divine event. But when we are aware of how often we ourselves have fallen short with others, and in the eyes of God, we are more able to treat others as we would want to be treated and give those who hurt us every opportunity to make amends.

                                                                Adele M. Gill   2014   Copyright