Befriending fear: A guided meditation

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If we let it, fear will always be present. Fear of the future. Fear of death. Fear of responsibility. Fear of the other. Fear of the Delta variant. The list goes on.

Yet.

Jesus tells us over and over, just as he did angels, prophets, priests and kings, “Do not be afraid.”

In this guided meditation you’re invited to name current fears, invite curiosity through the reading and or listening of sacred texts and seek new ways of befriending fear.

Perhaps awe and wonder will meet you!

  • Center yourself in God's presence that surrounds us

  • Breathe in the divine love that encompasses us and breathe out for awhile the cares and concerns that can distract us

  • Read John 14:27 (the Bible): “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

    A prayer poem

    The inmost fear

    Why do I fear

    God is here

    Deep within

    Covering nakedness

    Mothering boldness

    Sustaining exuberance

    Restraining insolence

    Siring insight

    Firing love light

    Fulfilling hollowness

    Instilling hallowedness of lung, limb and life

    With tongued fire and crossed strive

    Through Christ indwelling

    Sorrowing quelling

    Joy swelling

    Victory

    Warm love straining to be heard

    To be loved

Yet quiet as a craning hear

In silent expectation

As simple and lonely as a man's sigh

As rich and crowded as God's sea

In which I swim to eternity

Alone in crowded company

I am a mere glint of God's light

A mere hint of his might

Yet having the mint of his son on my heart

A cross sweeping to god's glorying

And a love flaming with god's worrying

Christ about me, in me with me today the darkening fierce joy of god's sorrow and then the tranquil swift dawn of god's tomorrow

Why then do i fear

God is here

Deep within here forever

Life grandly vibrant

Love scandalous flagrant

Yet heart quietly homing

And Lord wisely lording

But then why do I fear

Fear

Fear

Fear

- ~ Poem taken from Hearts on Fire: Praying with Jesuits

Read Psalm 124:

A song of ascents. Of David.

1 If the Lord had not been on our side—
    let Israel say—
2 if the Lord had not been on our side
    when people attacked us,
3 they would have swallowed us alive
    when their anger flared against us;
4 the flood would have engulfed us,
    the torrent would have swept over us,
5 the raging waters
    would have swept us away.

6 Praise be to the Lord,
    who has not let us be torn by their teeth.
7 We have escaped like a bird
    from the fowler’s snare;
the snare has been broken,
    and we have escaped.
8 Our help is in the name of the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.

This guided meditation was recorded by Trained Spiritual Director Cathy Irby and Music Practitioner Judy Ritchie as part of Retreat House Spirituality Center’s Silent Retreat series with Rev. Dr. Lil Smith and Rev. Sherry Ward. To reserve your spot for September’s retreat, email us. Date and time to be decided.

Emily Turner