Connecting to G-d is the only way to truly free yourself from fear.
Practice and Theory
By recognizing that you are an integral part of G-d’s plan, that your own existence is significant and your participation is vital, you can wean yourself of the doubts that feed fear.
Practice and Theory
As long as you place the highest premium on the material world, you will continue to be fearful and anxious.
You will remain a victim of circumstance, subjecting yourself to the mercurial nature of materialism.
We have nothing to fear besides G-d, because nothing is as real as G-d.
Practice and Theory
The sages say, “May you fear G-d as much as you fear man.”
Practice and Theory
Fear of G-d, is not actually fear at all, but an awe and respect for a higher presence in your life – and a recognition that G-d chose you to fill a specific role in refining the world.
When you feel despondent or afraid, contemplate this point; when you fear that you won’t be able to handle a particular challenge or a setback, think what G-d wants of you.
Practice and Theory
When you have but one G-d and two worlds, the material and the spiritual, there is nothing to fear.
The problems that loomed so large just a moment ago begin to seem eminently manageable.
When you realize that money, status and acceptance should not be the primary forces that drive your life, your confusion starts to melt away.
You gain confidence in the knowledge that you are working toward a higher purpose, and that G-d would not ask you to do so if you were not capable of it.
There will be no room in your life for despair and anxiety, only for joy and celebration in the fact that you are fully alive.
Such confidence spills over into your entire life.
And when you have learned to focus on the real matters of life, you will no longer need to worry about meeting the standard of those around you.
G-d’s standards are higher than man’s standards but they are actually far easier to meet.
While man’s values are ephemeral, constantly shifting, spiritual values are eternal.
When you connect to them, the trivial matters of life no longer frighten you, just as an adult is no longer scared of the dark.
You no longer see fear and anxiety as distracting or crippling forces, but as challenges that must be overcome to lead a meaningful life.
Wisdom
Half of winning any battle is understanding the enemy, and once you understand the roots of your fears, you are well on the way to conquering them.
This is not to say that you will be freed of all fear and anxiety.
They are part of life.
But they must be seen as a sign that something is out of sync in your life, that something is holding you from achieving your goals.
So when becoming aware of fear and anxiety, do not give way to depression, instead attack and improve the situation.
Practice and Theory
Depression is not a sin but what depression does no sin can do.
Practice and Theory
There are two types of depression – one constructive and one destructive.
The first is the despair of humility, of a person who not only recognizes his failings but cares enough to address them.
It is the despair of a person who agonized over his shortcomings and missed opportunities but who refuses to become indifferent to his problems and those of the world.
The second despair is that of a person who has given up on himself and his fellow man, who has allowed his melencolany to drain him of hope.
Practice and Theory
The former’s despair is a springboard for self-improvement; the second is a bottomless pit.
How does one distinguish between the two?
The first person weeps, the second person’s eyes are dry and blank.
The first person’s mind and heart are in turmoil, the second person’s mind and heart are silent with apathy and heavy as lead.
And what happens when each person emerges from his mood of despair?
The first person springs to action, taking his first faltering steps to escape his depression.
The second person remains paralyzed, for his path is still no easier.
Practice and Theory
To defeat depression, you must introduce a fresh perspective to your thinking.
Practice and Theory
You must begin to replace troubling, destructive thoughts with positive constructive ones.
Practice and Theory
Think good and it will be good.
This is not foolish optimism; this is recognizing the goodness within even a seemingly bad situation, recognizing that battling your fear means overcoming a challenge.
Practice and Theory
Get rid of the confusion in your life.
You must untie the knots that bind you, but you must also remember that you can only untie one knot at a time.
Do not be discouraged by the prospect; even the highest mountain must be climbed a single step at a time.
Just as confusion breeds confusion so does clarity dissipate confusion in its clear light illuminating the direction of your future life.
As you take one step in a positive direction you gain the momentum to travel whatever distance is necessary.
Practice and Theory
Write down and examine the five highest priorities in your life.
Are they ephemeral goals or eternal ones?
Are money and status more important than your family and helping other people?
If so then it is obvious why you have great fear in your life.
You know full well that you could always fall short of these goals.
You can distract yourself from your material cycle by focusing on the positive – your achievements, your abilities, the people you love.
Better yet, share your anxiety with friends and family members who will give you support, a fresh perspective, and positive suggestions.
Get involved in projects that are profoundly gratifying.
Soon enough your life will be so full of meaningful activities that there will be no time for fear and anxiety.
Finally introduce G-d into your life.
Realize that you are here for a purpose that is greater than all the greatest experiences in life.
The higher you set your values, the less you will fear the mundane anxieties that can dominate daily life.
Recognize that G-d within you protects your soul; even someone who has been battered and bruised in life has a pure soul.
You must remember…
That there is nothing on this earth to fear, for G-d is always with you, and by following his instruction, you open the channels for his blessings.
Practice and Theory
No matter how overwhelming your fears may seem, give your soul time to speak to you.
Initially, fear may prevent you from hearing your soul.
But be patient and persistent.
There is only one condition – that you address your fears truthfully and sincerely, for fear and anxiety will not respond to hollow statements.
Practice and Theory
Imagine coming to a place where money and power and vanity have no value.
That place is here and now.
The moment you look fear in the eye it begins to crumble.
Use your intellect to harness your emotions, and use your spirit to conquer your fear.
Above all, let joy and enthusiasm – and G-d – come into your life.
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