We Should Not Be Afraid Of Our Fears

　　There is so much fear in us. Fear of people, fear of God and much raw, undefined, free-floating anxiety. I wonder if fear is not our main obstacle to prayer.
　　When we enter into the presence of God and start to sense that huge reservoir of fear in us, we want to run away into the many distractions which our busy world offers us so abundantly.
　　But we should not be afraid of our fears. We can confront them, give words to them and lead them into the presence of him who says: “Do not be afraid, it is I.”
　　Our inclination is to show our Lord only what we feel comfortable with. But the more we dare to reveal our whole trembling self to him, the more we will be able to sense that his love, which is perfect love, casts out all our fears.
　　~ by Henri J.M. Nouwen, A Cry For Mercy.