Monday, May 19, 2008

Faith > Fear

Faith is the opposite of fear. They are actually two opposing forces and cannot exist at the same time. Faith is a deep knowing that something is true although there may not be physical evidence or a way to prove it to others. It is beyond positive thinking.

Faith guides. Fear controls.
Faith creates. Fear destroys.
Faith heals. Fear produces sickness.
Faith gives freedom. Fear brings bondage.
Faith trusts in the unseen. Fear looks for physical evidence.
Faith gives us peace. Fear exists in chaos.
Faith empowers. Fear weakens.
Faith lets us reach for our full potential. Fear keeps us in mediocrity.
Faith is proactive. Fear is reactive.
Faith opens togetherness. Fear makes us feel lonely.
Faith is confidence in the word of God. Fear is depending on our self.
Faith creates positive results. Fear encourages destructive behavior.
Faith activates the heart. Fear needs logic as proof.
Faith looks to the future. Fear likes the status quo.
A faithful person relies on God. A fearful person relies on himself.

Hebrews 11:1 says "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen".
Here is my favorite poem dealing with our deepest fear:

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of god. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We were born to make and manifest the glory of god that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
Marianne Williamson – from her book A Return To Love

Some people believe that fear is an acronym for false evidence appearing real.

When we are born we only have 2 innate fears, a fear of falling, and a fear of loud noises. These fears are built into our DNA as a survival mechanism, which means that all our other fears in life have been learnt.

Fear is a negative emotion. The prime and basic cause of all fear is the ignorance of our true nature. Dependent on the external stimulus we have a choice. In the present moment, being conscious of the NOW, there is a split second where we decide to believe in the positive outcome, or we follow the negative emotion which starts a chain reaction in the brain by releasing chemicals that cause the heart to race, fastens breathing and energizes muscles. This process is also called the fight-or-flight response.

Eckhard Tolle wrote a book: The Power of NOW. Eckhard explains how we can harness ourselves with courage to stay in the present moment. The presence of fear always means the presence of resistance. The presence of resistance always means not allowing the Energy of desire to flow through us -- always, without exception. By staying consciously in the present moment, we can develop courage to manage fear. Over time, fear can be our friend to guide us and allow us to live in the NOW.

1 comment:

yusun said...

oooohhhh... I really like this blog mom, on faith vs. fear. It's so true... fear is a lack of faith, in God, in yourself, in life. There is no reason for us to be afraid. I hope I can remember this always. Thanks!!!