Let nothing disturb you,Teresa of Ávila · Bookmark poem
Let nothing frighten you,
All things are passing away:
God never changes.
Patience obtains all things.
Whoever has God lacks nothing;
God alone suffices.
Fear not, for I am with you;Isaiah 41:10
be not dismayed, for I am your God.
Many souls remain outside the castle...Teresa of Ávila · The Interior Castle, First Mansions
they have become so accustomed to living
with the reptiles and beasts
that they no longer notice them.
What fears have you grown so accustomed to
that you no longer notice them?
John of the Cross knew that fear cannot be driven out by force—only by love:
Where there is no love, put love—John of the Cross · Letter to María de la Encarnación
and you will find love.
In the evening of life,John of the Cross · Sayings of Light and Love
we will be judged on love alone.
There is no fear in love,1 John 4:18
but perfect love casts out fear.
Thérèse of Lisieux, who faced her own fears in darkness, summed it up simply:
It is confidence and nothing but confidenceThérèse of Lisieux · Letter to Sister Marie, 1896
that must lead us to Love.
Maximilian Kolbe taught this trust—then proved it in the darkness of Auschwitz:
If the thought of your past life and former sins torments you,Maximilian Kolbe · Letter of spiritual direction
if you do not have the courage to look at what is awaiting you beyond the grave,
consecrate yourself totally and unreservedly to her.
Entrust to her the whole problem of your salvation,
your life, death and eternity.
Confess your sins sincerely and trust fully in her.
Then you will know what peace and happiness really are,
a foretaste of paradise.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,Psalm 23:4
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me.
The fear is real. But so is the One
who holds you in the midst of it.
A Prayer for the Fearful Heart
Lord, let nothing disturb me,
let nothing frighten me.
You know the fears I carry—
the ones I name and the ones
I have grown so accustomed to
I no longer notice them.
Where there is no love in me, put love.
Where fear has taken root, plant confidence.
Through the intercession of Teresa, John,
Thérèse, and Maximilian—
cast out my fear with Your perfect love.
God alone suffices.
Amen.
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