Do Not Look with Fear (St. Francis de Sales)

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A member of my covenant group at the Five Day Academy shared these beautiful words from St. Francis de Sales:


Do not look with fear
on the changes and chances of this life;
rather look to them with full faith that as they arise,
God – whose you are – will deliver you out of them.

God has kept you hitherto.
Do not but hold fast to God's dear hand,
and the Holy One will lead you safely through all things;
and when you cannot stand, God will bear you
in the divine loving arms.

Do not anticipate what will happen tomorrow.
The same everlasting God who cares for you today
will take care of you tomorrow and every day.
Either God will shield you from suffering or
will give you unfailing strength to bear it.

Be at peace, then, and put aside all anxious thoughts
and imaginings.

Comments

Jan said…
Thank you. I'm going to have to steal this from you. Thanks for passing it on!
March 17, 2008 at 12:33 AM
Elaine (aka...Purple) said…
When I was in seminary one of the GTU seminaries offered a course, "The Spirituality of Francis de Sales" and was only offered in the spring. Of course, when I was ready to take it...the prof was on sabbatical. Thanks for this glimpse.
March 17, 2008 at 9:59 AM
Jennifer said…
Outstanding.
So helpful.
Thank you.
March 17, 2008 at 1:45 PM
Rev SS said…
Nice reflection from St. Francis de Sales. Thanks for sharing it.
March 17, 2008 at 4:22 PM
Peter Gonsalves said…
May I have the exact quotation details please. My address is: gonsalves.p[at]gmail.com

Thanks
pg
November 17, 2010 at 7:02 AM
Anonymous said…
I read it every day
September 19, 2011 at 6:48 AM
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