By Bishop Donald Hilliard, Jr.
We’re living in a strange and peculiar hour. Historians are sure to mark this as one of the most stressful and fear filled periods of all time. In an increasing secularized culture, many of us have been conditioned to give into fear and rather than take courage and activate faith in the midst of our storms. Fear and worry are among the most disabling factors of post 9-11 life.
People are scared because the economy is tight; millions are struggling wondering how bills are going to be paid. Because the appearance of fear is so strong, it seems like there is little that can be said or done in times like these. Nevertheless, in times like these, you must exercise faith in the face of fear and exhibit courage in troubled times. We can find comfort in the midst of our fears.
Fear can be overwhelming. In fact, it can be paralyzing. Just turn on CNN, the non stop coverage of Hurricane Irene, the skyrocketing unemployment rate, and the unstable housing market will cause the surest of heart to waiver. People are going through tough times. Yet and still, throughout the pages of his book I offer readers hope—issuing a clarion call that challenges a broken humanity to press beyond the fears, worries, and the vicissitude of life.
I want readers to be able to take away in this season of fear, tremendous stress, strain, pain, and anxiety some sense of comfort. We need comfort to cover us in the seasons of fear. We need a peace that passes all understanding. As a result, I wanted to leave my audience with practical steps that they cannot live without.
In this time of unprecedented upheaval. We must make an intentional decision to exercise faith in spite of the fact that we have every reason to fear. In times like these we have to renew our commitment to prayer. Though not popular in our post-modern society, prayer changes things and prayer changes us. Next, we have to praise God. We are victorious. Praise is our weapon. Nobody goes into battle without a weapon. Then, we have to seek peace. Therefore, we do not have to fear. We do not have to live in fear and can live a courageous and abundant life. Fifth, if we are going to have faith in the face of fear, we must rekindle our respect for people. No matter how different people may be, we need people and we must care about people. As people we are all created in the Image of God. Sixth, we need to be prepared. I cannot emphasize this point enough. We need to be ready beforehand when trouble comes. Courage in tough times does not come at the flip of a switch, but you are able to have courage in tough times because you have gone through a season of preparation. Finally, we have to learn perseverance. Too often we give up before the victory comes. Never give up. Do not let your circumstances and fears have the final say.
Bishop Donald Hilliard, Jr, is senior pastor of Cathedral International located in Perth Amboy, NJ. The ideas of this reflection are taken from Bishop Hilliard’s new book titled, Faith in the Face of Fear: A Call to Courage in the Time of Trouble.
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