E
Epistemes
Guest
Dear brothers and sisters,
Stop being so scared of God!
Your friend in Jesus and Mary,
Epistemes
Stop being so scared of God!
Your friend in Jesus and Mary,
Epistemes
- Status
4
4EverHis
Guest
God is merciful and cares for us. He also wants the best for us. Sometimes that’s difficult for us to understand because we’re suffering or forced to give up something that means a lot to us… but God wants to use even that for our sanctification.
M
MarieVeronica
Guest
“Stop being so scared of God!”
“Ep”, I’m assuming, that you mean… “God isn’t a big bad meanie, out to flatten us with a thunder bolt”.
And I agree with you! We must always, always remember that God loves us. He loves us so dearly, that He became one of us… and died for US.
That said… there is another type of fear, that is definitely a good thing (which I’m sure you already know). That would be “Fear of the Lord”. Which is one of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.
This “Holy Fear” challenges us, impels us and prods us to keep striving for holiness in our own lives. It’s different from “being scared of God”. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says this:
"The message of the Last Judgment calls men to conversion while God is still giving them “acceptable time, … the day of salvation.” It inspires a holy fear of God and commits them to the justice of the Kingdom of God. It proclaims the “blessed hope” of the Lord’s return, when He will come “to be glorified in His saints, and to be marvelled at in all who have believe.” (CCC 1041)
I once heard Mother Angelica talking about this. She looked at the camera… and said “Am I scaring you? GOOD. I want to scare you, because I love you. And more than that… GOD loves you and wants you to be saved.”
Mother has a way of getting the point across.
“Ep”, I’m assuming, that you mean… “God isn’t a big bad meanie, out to flatten us with a thunder bolt”.
And I agree with you! We must always, always remember that God loves us. He loves us so dearly, that He became one of us… and died for US.That said… there is another type of fear, that is definitely a good thing (which I’m sure you already know). That would be “Fear of the Lord”. Which is one of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.
This “Holy Fear” challenges us, impels us and prods us to keep striving for holiness in our own lives. It’s different from “being scared of God”. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says this:
"The message of the Last Judgment calls men to conversion while God is still giving them “acceptable time, … the day of salvation.” It inspires a holy fear of God and commits them to the justice of the Kingdom of God. It proclaims the “blessed hope” of the Lord’s return, when He will come “to be glorified in His saints, and to be marvelled at in all who have believe.” (CCC 1041)
I once heard Mother Angelica talking about this. She looked at the camera… and said “Am I scaring you? GOOD. I want to scare you, because I love you. And more than that… GOD loves you and wants you to be saved.”
Mother has a way of getting the point across.
C
ConservativeOne
Guest
I believe I have a “natural” fear of God - as taught by our Faith. He is a Just God but also All Merciful and Forgiving.
But - here’s an example: Whenever I worry about the state of a deceased soul, I’m constantly reminded by people about God’s Mercy - that I should trust in Jesus, etc.
I DO ! But have you ever heard the saying (perhaps, by Robert Louis Stevenson) that ‘God governs the world and prayer governs God’. Now, we know that nothing is above/greater than God, but that our prayers are heard by Him and not left unanswered, perhaps removing some of His Wrath - is my take on that saying.
So, too, when I’m told about God’s Mercy - I’m insistent in my belief in His Mercy but that it’s our souls’ sins that result in His Punishment. Our sinfulness governs God’s having to punish us. It is in that way - when I know I’m not doing right - that I fear God greatly (perhaps imperfect contritition but fear of His Punishment) - in that He is All-Powerful. That’s how we should fear Him. But never forget He loves us - or He wouldn’t have created us, or sent His Son to die for us.
(After having just read a little about St. Gemma, I’m scared that I could be nowhere near what God expects of us - and THAT scares me.)
But - here’s an example: Whenever I worry about the state of a deceased soul, I’m constantly reminded by people about God’s Mercy - that I should trust in Jesus, etc.
I DO ! But have you ever heard the saying (perhaps, by Robert Louis Stevenson) that ‘God governs the world and prayer governs God’. Now, we know that nothing is above/greater than God, but that our prayers are heard by Him and not left unanswered, perhaps removing some of His Wrath - is my take on that saying.
So, too, when I’m told about God’s Mercy - I’m insistent in my belief in His Mercy but that it’s our souls’ sins that result in His Punishment. Our sinfulness governs God’s having to punish us. It is in that way - when I know I’m not doing right - that I fear God greatly (perhaps imperfect contritition but fear of His Punishment) - in that He is All-Powerful. That’s how we should fear Him. But never forget He loves us - or He wouldn’t have created us, or sent His Son to die for us.
(After having just read a little about St. Gemma, I’m scared that I could be nowhere near what God expects of us - and THAT scares me.)
T
TOP
Guest
I think it was a timely note as some of the recent threads are casting so much doubt lately. Tim
E
Epistemes
Guest
Abba Anthony said, ‘I no longer fear God, but I love Him. For love casts out fear.’ (John 4:18)
- Status