Fear

Fear, self-defense mechanism. Useful in dark alleys and unfamiliar territories, telling us to slow down, to watch, to listen, and to learn. Fear is a learned behavior. The Chinese would say, the new born calf is not afraid of the tiger. Yes, they did not know to be afraid of the tiger. And we, from the years of the new born calf, have grown to be a wounded beast, and FEAR, is in our tissues, muscles, brains, and hearts.

Fear, Only the Love of our Lord, the redemptive power of the Lord can take ease the pain, forgive the sin, heal the wounds, and release the fear. So, the cure of fear then is to surrender, as Tagore wrote in his poem:

This is my prayer to thee, my lord --- strike, strike at the root of penury in my heart.

Give me the strength lightly to bear my joys and sorrows.

Give me the strength to make my love fruitful in service.

Give me the strength never to disown the poor or bend my knees before insolent might.

Give me the strength to raise my mind high above daily trifles.

And give me strength to surrender my strength to thy will with love.