For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. – 2 Timothy 1:7, KJV
It takes a lot of courage to face life. To continuously perform our obligations, to face the loss of people we value so much, to undergo excruciating physical and emotional pain – these are just some of the problems that wrench our hearts and tempt us to seek means of alleviation and escape.
Some find their escape in bad habits. Some find it in illusions. Some try to find it in people who only fail them one after the other.
There are some however, who, instead of trying to escape, try their very best to face the challenges coming their way. They too, know their weaknesses, and they too, fear much the problems and sufferings coming their way.
But deep within them, they know they couldn’t just give up. Deep within them, they know that though the struggle wouldn’t be easy, there is no other option but to fight and carry on. Why? Because the urge to love has become in them more important than the urge to escape. Because more than their fear of pain or suffering, they fear of love being extinguished from their hearts.
Thus, though they frightened, they gain courage. Though they fall, they rise again. They choose hope instead of despair. They choose life instead of escaping it.
Fill your hearts then with as much love as it can contain. Consider not yourselves alone but others who need you and care for you. Consider God Himself who goes with you through your darkest sufferings. You are never alone, never unloved. Fear not your weaknesses. If you have much love, you will also have much strength.
“Faced with today’s problems and disappointments, many people will try to escape from their responsibility. Escape in selfishness, escape in sexual pleasure, escape in drugs, escape in violence, escape in indifference and cynical attitudes. I propose to you the option of love, which is the opposite of escape.”- Pope John Paul II
Check Jocelyn's books:
"Of Waves and Butterflies: Poems on Grief", "Mend My Broken Heart", "Questions to God", "To Love an Invisible God", "Defending My Catholic Faith", and more - click here.
(You may freely quote excerpts from this website as long as due credit is given to author Jocelyn Soriano and the website itakeoffthemask.com)