Deepest Fear?

[mogget]

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

~ Marianne Williamson

duuudes...i'm gonna cry!

[Michael]

Aw, I like that. . .

[admin]

that is really wild. I was doing a magic show yesterday at a school and I was in the staff washroom, and it had that very quote on the wall! What a coincidence that I would see it 2 days in a row!

[herooftime]

Spiders are my deepest fear

[lhw]

My deepest fear is that my faith isn't strong/true enough, and that I'll either be "Left Behind," or told that I am not known when I die.

[mogget]

i was watching 'Coach Carter' & it was on that. it moved me to tears then so i had to post it somewhere

[matthew]

When i was a kid I used to have a reoccurring nightmare. My dream was that i had committed a terrible and irreversible act, like some kind of murder or something, and there was no going back, and I was doomed forever because of it. I think this fear is deep within my Psyche (or whatever) and I am constantly living with this fear, that my actions will cause hurt and pain to others, and more selfishly, that they will dislike me as a person, and so i spend a great deal of time and effort trying to avoid these kind of situations, and living in a kind of self-imposed prison without much hope of ever escaping.

I believe, and assume, that this is the darkness that exists in all people. Within each person there lies something terrible that's cannot be reversed. It manifests itself in our relationships with others, and though existing within everyone of us, like a innocent little butterfly, it likes to flap it's little wings, and cause all kinds of horror and destruction, which will eventually be it's own undoing, when finally it has nothing left to destroy but itself (assuming it can be destroyed).

While we can have a certain amount of control over this inherent darkness, largely through systems of morality, which have governed societies for thousands of years, it will always be there, waiting for a chance or opportunity to unleash itself, and has succeeded in destroying civilization after civilization, through greed and selfishness.

But also, somehow, a magical, almost alcamaic light rises up out of the darkness, like gold from base metal, and the key is Jesus, our philosophers stone. In Jesus, the irreversible act that leads to death is reversed, as he dies, becomes death, he transforms it into life, a new creation, because, as it says somewhere in the Bible 'death has no hold of him'. So again, the darkness is undone, and becomes light.

This darkness is called sin in the Bible, and it began in a single irreversible act that is the root cause for every horror mankind has ever committed, and if left unchallenged would eventually destroy everything God has created. Then it's ruin will be complete, and it's ultimate boundary reached. The light of Jesus, on the other hand creates life, and knows no boundaries. And this light is the essence of the kingdom of God and Heaven, and is true power. We just need to take hold of that power.

sorry for ranting ;D

[admin]

that wasn't ranting. That was beautiful. And so much of what I feel in my own heart, too. Thank you for sharing that, Matt

[(((Thump))) *bounces*]

Much like M@hu, I have a reoccurring nightmare of my own. It has to do with my daughter, Courtney, and me losing her in a very traumatic way. I don't know how normal this, but there isn't a night that has gone by in my daughter's 12 years of existence that I haven't woken up in a cold sweat and tears.

I don't know why I dream this every night, but what I do know is it's obviously stemming from my deepest fear of losing Courtney, who is the love of my life.

[lhw]

I've only had one really bad nightmare that stuck with me for any length of time. In fact, it lasted about 8-9 years.

Shortly after I was born, my parents went to a drive-in to see 2001: A Space Odyssey, and took me along. For years, I would wake up in a cold sweat...I didn't understand it, but all I would dream about was the giant, black obelisk, with the theme music playing in the background. Occasionally, I'd see the prehistoric men in the dream, but not always. It scared the willies out of me.

The first time I ever saw Ric Flair wrestle was weird...he comes out to the theme music, and when I heard it, it made my blood run cold. I knew it was from my dream, but I didn't know where else it was from.

Then, when I was about 13-14, I actually had a chance to watch the movie. As I did, a cold sweat broke out, and I thought I was going to pass out. FINALLY, I knew where the nightmares had come from, and could piece together how I'd seen the movie. After that, it never really bothered me.

[admin]

right now, my deepest fear is that I am going to do something really stupid and mess up my marriage and my friendship with the people closest to me. I sometimes wonder if that is why I have so much stress in my life and stuff, because I am really scared about it. I feel so weak and I feel like any minute I am going to do something that is going to ruin the rest of my life. I guess it is very similar to what Matt said in his post. I don't really worry about murdering someone, but more that I am going to do something that will hurt everyone around me and that I am going to be all alone and without anyone who cares for me. And also very afraid that the people who I care for the most are going to be exceedingly hurt and it will just tear my heart out.

[lhw]

Not knowing what could be on your mind, Shan, all I can say is: ask yourself if it's in-line with what God teaches, and would He approve of it. If not, don't follow that path, even if it means losing some friends. If you think it does, then go for it: your real friends will stay by you, and you'll have the comfort of knowing that it's what God wants you to do.

I know: it sounds easier to say than actually do. I've forced myself to answer it on occasions...most of the time, I didn't like the answer. Still, after the fact, I'm glad I did.

I'm still keeping you in my prayers.

[admin]

Yeah. It is more that I am tempted to do stuff that is bad and I am constantly having to resist temptation. I feel like I am weak and am going to fall anytime now. I just really need to pray and trust that God is going to give me the strength to resist the temptation. There are a few things I am specificially thinking of. One, my friends and family would be disgusted if I did it and the other would ruin my marriage. I guess it is more that if I do things in the flesh, I know I will fail, so I am really learning that I need to do stuff in God's strength, or I will fall into sin. The flesh is just so weak and I am constantly needing to remember that and keep turning to God every day for his strenghth.

Thank you so much for praying for me, Rich

[lhw]

Glad to, Shan.

In the past, I've both failed (several times) and triumphed over various temptations. The triumphs were definately harder to accomplish. Yet, while the failures seemed more "rewarding" at the time, I look back now and am quite proud of the few triumphs I've actually made...they now help me get thru newer temptations as they arise.

[bethany54]

Like Shann and Mahud, my greatest fears have been about failing or hurting people. Coming from a background of extreme abuse, I know how easily one can be hurt and scarred for life. I still blame myself for my twin sister's death thinking that if I had been smart enough or strong enough or something enough I could have prevented her murder by our father. For many years I refused to love anyone. I gave all my care and affection to animals and loving a person was the farthest thing from my mind.

Eventually though I did start caring about people again and started loving a few. But then Pearl died and I stopped loving again after I found her dead just 15 minutes or so after talking to her on the phone. I still am afraid to love because so many have been taken away from me after I have given my heart to them. But even as much as I am afraid of loving someone totally and completely I am more afraid of creating that same pain in someone else. If only I was smart enough or brave enough or strong enough. . . . .

I believe myself no longer capable of totally surrendering my heart to another human being. Loving God is safe enough to do but people are a whole other story.

[Michael]

Hmm. . . I think that my major fear is that I'm going to fail someone. I don't mind failing myself because I usually just blow it off and try again. But I hate to fail others because I hate to see the image in their eyes of my diminish. I know that kind of prideful, but it's true. I also have a fear of stepping ahead because of what may lay in my way. So basically the unknown, the mysterious. Because I usually don't have a problem of taking that step, it just what may lay ahead.

[lostsoul]

lhw said:

My deepest fear is that my faith isn't strong/true enough, and that I'll either be "Left Behind," or told that I am not known when I die.

i am terrerfied of being left behind or if i die im the only one in my family who goes to hell or vice ersa. I am so concerned about this as i love my family immensly and i dont want to leave them ever even when we are all dead i couldn't stand being without my family for a lifetime but its Gods decision and his decision is final (thats another thing that scares me his decision is the last one)