to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’ Acts 26:18
It seems that everyone I speak to these days is experiencing anxiety and fear. Even people of great faith have come to me, the fear can be so overwhelming. I have experienced it myself. One glance at the headlines and the thoughts start spinning through your head.
I am not here to tell you that bad things won’t happen. In fact, I am quite certain they will. I am here to tell you that God is still good. These things we are afraid of, we cannot control them, but God, He is in control.
And so, what are we to do when we have trouble trusting and letting go of the fear? We are to take the fear to Jesus and let Him walk us through it.
What do I mean by this? I mean go to your biggest fear, with God, and have Him walk you through it as if it has actually already happened. Instead of hiding from your fear, stare directly at it, with God, and have Him hold you as you face it together. Use your imaginative prayer to do this and let God lead you where He will.
You see, we tend to get stuck in our fear, or even try to fight against it. We try to hide it. We do all kinds of things with fear, except actually facing it. What if the worst thing you can think of actually happens? Stare at this serpent on the staff.
When you stare at the fear God can reveal to you where he wants to heal you. He can reveal to you how to radically trust him.
What is your biggest fear of the future? Is it being forced to do something against your will? Is it global collapse? Is it just simply that you worry your children will never come back to faith? Is it that people won’t love you?
Take it to God as if it has already happened. Stare at it. Don’t run away from it. Don’t let the fear eat you alive.
If you do this, the infinitely good God will show you how big His hand actually is. He will not show you the future, but He will speak to your heart, and He will show you how light overcomes darkness. He will show you a way that you don’t see.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. John 1:5
You see, there is one thing I have noticed, and that is, when something I have feared actually happens, it never actually plays out in the way I had worried about, and always in hindsight, I could see God’s hand. The fear and anxiety I had prior, dissipate as I can clearly see how I was walked through the fear.
So, by taking the fear that plays over and over in our heads to him first, and having Him walk us through it, we begin to see that we are always, always, his little children. And though a Father does discipline, He does not harm.
For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light— Ephesians 5:8
Children of the Light understand that what God allows to come their way is for their good, for their purification, for true love to shine in the world. And your perspective begins to change.
I was actually afraid of getting COVID, and that fear was sometimes overwhelming because of my caring for my elderly parents. Then I got COVID, and I saw the hand of God’s protection all the way through it. From the fact that my parents did not contract it, to the fact that my husband organized a plan to care for my parents while I was in quarantine. I got much needed rest and my husband was raised up by God to a higher level. I came to realize that even though the media throws around fear and accuses you, God is the author of all life. He decides when we stay and when we go. There is so much relief in letting God be God.
I was afraid of one of my parents dying, and then my dad did die, and I saw the hand of God all the way through it. And I saw how good God is. In fact, God answered everything that I had asked for in that process.
So the effort becomes to realize this beforehand – To trust that what has always been true will always be true – That God does not abandon his people and we can trust Him.
In fact, it is us who usually abandon Him. Not the reverse. And what He is asking is that we don’t leave Him the way that He promised He will never leave us.
Know that I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” Genesis 28:15
God is looking for souls in this time through whom His promises are made true. He is looking for the souls who don’t run from the cross, but those who embrace it with Him. It is here that we will see the power and the glory of God.
I believe, though we are entering into darkness as a society, that we are about to see an abundance of miracles.
So we have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 2 Peter 1:19
The call for all of us is to be the light of Christ that shines in the darkness. Take your biggest struggle to Him and let him show you what He can do with it. Remember The Blessed Virgin as your guidepost during this time and pray to trust like she did.
Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Luke 12:32
Veil of Veronica 
So beautiful Susan! Your words are so comforting and relatable. Thank you friend!
Thanks Ashley!!
Thank you so much for these consoling words Susan. Your advice is so practical for confronting the crosses I see coming my way. Will definitely walk through them one by one, with Jesus. And you’re right, in that in hindsight, it always seems to work out. God bless you for being a “light” to me today.
God Bless you!
This is what I needed to hear. Thank you so much. God bless!
God Bless you too
“There is so much relief in letting God be God.”
FIAT !
Amen !
Alleluia !
FIAT!
Thank you so much! God bless you and all!
you’re welcome and God Bless you too!
I remember thinking, and sharing, that no matter what happens, the reason we can tell the difference between good and bad, between right and wrong, is because He exists, shining the light of understanding.
💕
Thank you for this, dearest Susan.
Your post tinkles some bells God has strung upon my heart,
fear, rest, God has raised my husband, trust, miracles…
So I know I am hearing Him speak to me through them as I face the premature loss of job, loss of all pension and further options which may put all our lives in danger.
It will certainly be a September to remember.
Caitlynnegrace I know these things weigh on you. Do take them to Him. He will make your path straight. Don’t let these things tear you away from focus on Him…. I will be praying for you friend.
God will provide. We lost jobs, business, house, with two children and no job prospects. I look back, and think “if only I had just remained calm and trusted God!” I know it’s hard, very hard. He knows what He’s doing. Will pray for you, also. It will be alright! Maybe not comfortable, but you’ll be alright. Prior to our “adventure”, I heard the Lord say one night during the rosary “Catholics living comfortable lives. Not for long.” He is shaking us up for sure!
Good to see you back, Susan! Youve been in my prayers, too. God Bless!
Thanks. God Bless you!
Sally, thank you for this. Remain calm and trust God. I will hold on to this.
Great article for these times! I pray Psalm 91 every day. Check it out!
Thank you. I love Psalm 91
You’re articles reflect a heart born of supernatural faith and an unerring desire and search for the Living God. You share your fragility placed before the Lord who transforms that fragility into a steadfast hopeful witness. Keep writing from within and gifting us with the fruits of your encounters with Christ.
Thank you so much and God Bless you.
+Laudetur Jesus Christus et Ave Maria Regina Mundi Victoriosa+
So sad that more people – especially Catholics – have not known about Our Blessed Mother’s many, many years of coming to this world to Prepare us for these Times…! Birth pangs announce the coming of the Long-Awaited New Life!
“That in difficult moments we might not despair nor become dispondent, but with great Confidence, submit ourselves to Thy Holy Will – Which is Love and Mercy Itself!”
Pax Christi, Everyone! >
most drifted further away. It is sad.
FIAT!! We want what HE wants for us
Not always easy but we do flow within His Will with His help.
Fear is very gripping but hope is very freeing
❤️
The Book of Job gives me enormous clarity about God, Satan, and the very natural “human” response to all that is going on today. I highly recommend it to anyone searching for answers!
God bless!
As soon as I sense that God is afraid, I too will begin to fear.
lol!
Exactly! Faith and trust in God allows for never the need to be afraid. However, “Fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10) Sadly, there does not seem to be a whole lot of that “life-giving” fear of the Lord these days!
O, i Love it, John!!!!😁😁😁😁😁
Great article. Well stated. Simple truths made plain. St. John Paul II ‘S first quote on the night of his election was ” Do not be afraid”. He lived through Nazi Germany overrunning Poland. He was shot by an assassin. He had Cardinals around him him who were Judas’s . He bore incredible illnesses. St. Faustina’s Divine Mercy Sunday was established by ST. J.P. II. If you read her book Divine Mercy in My Soul, you will find the quote by zour Lord Jesus speaking to the world. ” From Out of Poland will come the spark to prepare the world for MY final coming! ” J.P.II was the spark and the time has arrived. Remember “BE NOT AFRAID.”
Thank you for this article. ” Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done” goes through my mind when I feel fear about the war against life. God will take care of us, as we do the footwork to serve Him by serving the right to Life of the preborn.
Thank you for your words of wisdom by letting God use you as a pencil in His Hands. This message felt like God was speaking to me in my fear and anxiety in these times, which at times has kept me awake at night. Please pray for me and I will pray for all of you.
Definitely praying for you.
You know there was no veil of veronica or holy grail either, I hope Both are medieval legends deriving from the true icon, the Shroud.
That’s one theory. But there are many other things that say different. I am not sure why you would leave a comment like this considering this blog is named after my friend Veronica.
Many “Theories”…. according to the writings of Maria Valtorta, there was no one named Veronica; rather the courageous woman was Nike, and she used her own “Veronica” (veil) to comfort Jesus. She has been immortalized as Veronica, one of the most beautiful female names in our language. Better this than association with a swoosh and a tennis shoe.
There’s also the one that says she was the hemorrhaging woman who was cured by Jesus. Some writings from 300 allude to this. And that the name Veronica was because of the Image – not the woman. True Image.
Wonderful little nugget! Thanks!
I just heard a homily/sermon that totally focused on this with wonderful advice from one of my favorite saints, St. Francis de Sales! I hope you don’t mind linking it. So, so helpful!!
I was born on Feast of St Francis!!
Beautiful. Thank you for your advice on having God walk us through our fears as if they have already happened. Very inspiring and encouraging!
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