Remember Jesus’ powerful words in the Gospel of Mark when he heals Jairus’ daughter: “Fear is useless. What is needed is trust.”

Somehow when it comes to faith and the struggles of life, we get into some strange ideas about God. When I give retreats I often say that we go around carrying “sad illusions” about who God is.

One of the first things we learn when we begin to live in community is that it is not a collection of friends; it is not a family. Religious community holds all the challenges that any non-family, non-best friend group experiences.

Ah, dear Seeker, I believe your question about responding to God's call despite being afraid is one that God hears quite often—and one that tugs at God’s heartstrings!