Today, I want to talk about a topic that affects us all: fear. Fear can be a crippling emotion that stops us from living our lives to the fullest. It can stop us from pursuing our dreams, forming relationships, and even taking necessary risks. However, as Baháʼís, we are called to overcome our fears with faith.
The Baháʼí Faith teaches us that fear is an illusion, and it is not a reality. Baháʼu'lláh, the Prophet-Founder of the Baháʼí Faith, says in the Hidden Words, "O Son of Spirit! The best beloved of all things in My sight is Justice; turn not away therefrom if thou desirest Me, and neglect it not that I may confide in thee. By its aid, thou shalt see with thine own eyes and not through the eyes of others, and shalt know of thine own knowledge and not through the knowledge of thy neighbor. Ponder this in thy heart; how it behooveth thee to be. Verily, justice is My gift to thee and the sign of My loving-kindness. Set it then before thine eyes."
This passage teaches us that justice is the most beloved of all things in the sight of God. We are called to pursue justice, even in the face of fear. We must have faith in God's plan and know that He is always with us, guiding us on the right path. We must trust in His love and mercy and know that He will never leave us alone.
In the Baháʼí Writings, there are many stories of the early believers who faced incredible challenges and overcame their fears with faith. One such story is that of Táhirih, a prominent early Baháʼí woman who faced persecution and ultimately gave her life for the Faith. Despite facing intense fear and opposition, Táhirih remained steadfast in her faith and her belief in justice.
We can learn from the example of Táhirih and other early believers and apply it to our own lives. When we face fear, we must turn to our faith and remember that we are not alone. We must trust in God's plan and His guidance and know that He will never abandon us. We must seek justice and remain steadfast in our faith, even in the face of adversity.
In closing, let us remember the words of ʻAbdu'l-Bahá, the son of Baháʼu'lláh, who said, "Be not afraid of anyone. If someone comes and attacks you, do not be afraid. If you are killed, know that you will be martyrs. Your blood will be shed for the sake of God, and God will bestow on you an everlasting reward. The martyrs are near to God, and they shine upon the horizon of eternity."
Let us have faith in God and overcome our fears, knowing that we are guided by His love and mercy. May God bless us all on this journey of faith.
~Reverend Clarke
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