May 20, 2022 – When Things Fall Apart, Pema Chodron

Fear Not

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

“Once there was a young warrior. Her teacher told her that she had to do battle with fear. She didn’t want to do that. It seemed too aggressive; it was scary; it seemed unfriendly. But the teacher said she had to do it and gave her the instructions for the battle. The day arrived. The student warrior stood on one side, and fear stood on the other. The warrior was feeling very small, and fear was looking big and wrathful. They both had their weapons. The young warrior roused herself and went toward fear, prostrated three times, and asked, “May I have permission to go into battle with you?” Fear said, “Thank you for showing me so much respect that you ask permission.” Then the young warrior said, “How can I defeat you?” Fear replied, “My weapons are that I talk fast, and I get very close to your face. Then you get completely unnerved, and you do whatever I say. If you don’t do what I tell you, I have no power. You can listen to me, and you can have respect for me. You can even be convinced by me. But if you don’t do what I say, I have no power.” In that way, the student warrior learned how to defeat fear.” Chodron, Pema. When Things Fall Apart (Shambhala Classics) (pp. 46-47).

Fear Not

Do you think you can live without fear? Is fear something we can defeat? Fear is a powerful enemy. Fear can control the church – fear can defeat the strongest warrior – fear can keep people from acting, doing, working, and living together. The disciples of Jesus knew fear. Often Jesus took them into situations where they were deeply afraid – no matter how often Jesus would tell them to “fear not.”

I like the story above about the warrior facing down fear. Fear wants to control us – but as is the case with so many aspects of life, if we do not listen to the negative voices, they will have no power over us. Anger, hate, revenge, and other emotions seek to control us – negative voices that seek to have power over our lives. It is important to learn how to face down the negative voices and allow the words of Christ’s love, mercy and grace to lead us and guide us.

The disciples would lead the church into a new era with the power of the Holy Spirit. With the Holy Spirit, we can fight negative voices – the ones in our own heads we allow to trouble us – and the ones the world bombards us with every day. With the Holy Spirit, we can learn to face down evil so it has no control in our lives.

Let us pray,

Lord Jesus, we tell ourselves many stories – both positive and negative. Help me today to defeat the negative influences and live as your beloved child. Amen.

Pastor Dave