When your life becomes difficult for you, and you attribute it to outside events like tornados or loved ones’ bodies’ dying and leaving you behind, or whatever has befallen, it is as if your heart has been cut in two, and you are affrighted. And, to the damage, you add such forebodings as The sky is falling, and falling down on you.

Beloveds, events are events. Whatever has occurred, has occurred. It is fear that assaults you now. It is hard enough for you, what had occurred. Now, have enough of woe, and do not compound your hurt with fear thoughts. Put an end to the tortuous thinking of what further distress might occur. Or, if you must play the game of what if, start off with: “What if I don’t have to be afraid? What if all is taken care of? What if I worry for nothing?”

If you survived a volcano, be glad you survived. Danger passed. Doom did not overtake you. And now, why grovel in your thoughts, fearing even worse? All that’s left is the cleaning up, beloveds. First, clean up your thinking. Now is the time to abandon all that you have tortured yourself with. Go on with your life. Do not let panic stamp itself upon your heart.

You were spared, beloveds, and now spare yourself the anguish fear heaps on you. The anguish is fear’s donation to you. You need not accept all donations, beloveds.

You feel the ravages of fear physically. Come, do not do that to yourself. Let your heart beat as it was meant to and not with pangs that hurt your heart. No more sense of “Woe is me,” beloveds.

Change “Woe is me” to “Look at me, fortunate me, look how I came through with flying colors. I am a wonder! I am a wondrous Being who survived disaster. Disaster is behind me now. I am alive. I am here. I am resplendent.” Continue to say:.

“I need no armor. I have the protection of angels. Angels stand strong around me. They enfold me in their wings. What need have I of fear? It’s a waste of time anyway.

“I no longer harbor fear nor panic. I harbor a sense of wondrousness. And now I give security to others who may not know as I do know that our safety is assured, that we are all safe and sound. We are safe in angel wings and under the shield of God’s love that He strews upon us so abundantly.

“Why have I even conceived of loss when God provides for me with joy ?

“If my life, as I perceived it, had been taken from me, I no longer complain, because fear and complaint go hand in hand. I have given up fear, and I have given up complaint. I no longer bow down to them. I lift up my eyes, and I see God’s grace, a balm to my eyes, a balm to my heart, a balm to the world.

“How is it possible that I could ever allow my courage to lag? How could I sacrifice courage and take fear in its place? I know better than to sacrifice, because God has told me so. He told me I am not to sacrifice. Instead, He emboldens me to thrive. Rather than sacrifice, I uphold the law of love. I follow love, and I do not waver, I am here on Earth to be amazed by the wonders God has created and given to us all. And so I am amazed.”