To Love More for the New Year

It's confirmed, my wife's pregnant with our 3rd child! I thank God for this wonderful gift of life specially this Christmas season.  Yet then as a father, a thought rushed to my head, "Everything's going to be multiplied by three from now on." I was thinking about the future expenses.  So I grabbed my handy pen and notebook and started drafting some plans.  Amidst the joy that I felt in anticipating for the coming of another Llaban into the world, I also felt fear. I'm imagining how St. Joseph felt when he knew of Mary's divine pregnancy. I would think that he also felt some fear.  Yet the Lord assured him,

"Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her." Matthew 1:20

Yes, the Lord wants to take away our fears and lead us to trust in Him more.

What do you fear for the new year to come?  Some of us are afraid that this Holiday break will soon be over and get back to a high tension, pressure cooker environment.  Amidst our celebration in greeting the new year, there is that lingering fear inside us.  And so we get our notebooks and draft some plans.  Here are some thoughts to help us in conquering fear:

1. Love drives out fear. "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love (1 John 4:18). Let us look at our future duties and responsibilities with love.  Even in the middle of pressure situations, let us do things with love. Make your plans with love, do all your works in love. Your every act should be done with love (1 Cor 16:14).  Remember that Love is stronger than fear.

2. Act on your fears.  Before your fears act on you.  We can get caught up in "analysis paralysis." We become lethargic and devote more time in worrying rather than acting.  Procrastination is one fear's favorite food. The more we delay, the bigger the fear grows.  Answer that email, do your best to pay that debt, forgive, ask forgiveness, among other things that might catch up on us in the future.

3. The Lord provides.  "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28)."  Let me stress: God works for the good of those who love Him. The Lord truly provides, we need only ask. Through earnest prayer, the Lord will open opportunities, send the right people, and enlighten our minds. In some references (whether exact or not), the phrase fear not is mentioned around 365 times in the bible. A reminder for us to fear not for each day of the year for the Lord provides.

I can say St. Joseph did a great job in raising Jesus.  Despite the overwhelming fact that he was looking after the Savior of mankind!  He loved more than he feared. That's what I plan to do, to love more.