Listen Linda

Fear and love. When it comes to fear though. It’s just an illusion. Not a tangible entity that should remain consistent nor permanent. And it’s an illusion we created all by ourselves. But to have faith would dispel the illusion and leave nothing behind.

But then there is courage. The ability to act despite what you fear. And this perspective also aligns with the idea that fear and love are opposites. Only because they are seen as two fundamentally different ways of perceiving and interacting with the world.

There are emotional dynamics involved. With love being expansive, inclusive, and outward reaching. It creates connections, trust, and openness. Fear on the other hand is contractive and inward-focused. It will create barriers, lead to mistrust, and isolation. Love unites. Fear divides. And ultimately when love is absent, fear often takes its place, creating a void where joy struggles to thrive.

So, what about our connection with God (our higher power)? I think the line drawn between fearing God and the absence of joy is poignant. The idea highlights that our perceptions of the divine in nature can shape our emotional and spiritual experiences. And naturally when we learn to embrace love and release fear, joy naturally follows—such a testament of the transformative power of faith and love.