Faith, our anchor

On the pathways of life we face different types of weather—stormy and smooth, wild and mild. We have to face difficulties and dangers, diseases and death. We feel frightened. If only we cultivate the faith that such experiences come to us, not without a purpose—we will never be stressful.

Faith makes all possible

Faith is not blind. Faith is seeing with the eyes of the mind. Even as we have two physical eyes with which we are able to see the wonderful things that are around us—trees, flowers, stars, streams, hills and dales, forests and mountains—with the eyes of faith, we can perceive goodness, peace and calm all around us.

God loves each and every one of us and He has a plan for us. He will provide for all our needs. St Teresa wanted to build an orphanage. She had only three shillings. But she was not tensed or worried about it. She said to those who ridiculed her, “With three shillings, Teresa can do nothing. But with God and three shillings, there is nothing that Teresa cannot do.”

Faith shows us the way

If fear knocks on the door of your heart, send faith to open it and you will be free from distress.

Two men were ship wrecked. They landed on an island, which was uninhabited. Out of the branches of trees, they built a cottage for themselves. One of them was a man of faith. But the other was an unbeliever, a sceptic. Every day, the man of faith would affirm to himself: “There is a meaning of mercy in everything that happens. God will never forsake us: He will surely rescue us.” But the unbeliever kept on fuming and fretting. “There is no God!” he would exclaim.

Everyday, both of them would go and stand on the shore and wave their hands and handkerchiefs in the hope that some distant steamer would sight them and rescue them. The days passed by. One day as the two of them returned to their cottage, they found that the cottage had caught fire.

“Don’t be depressed,” pleaded the believer. “Friend, there must be a meaning in this, too. Trust in Him! He will never forsake us.” Exasperated, the sceptic shouted, “You and your God—I have nothing to do with the two of you.”

The next morning, as they went to the shore, they saw a small boat approaching. They were surprised.

“We saw the flames leaping,” the captain of the boat explained. “We felt surely there must be someone who needed help.”

Once again, the believer exclaimed, “There is a meaning of mercy in everything that happens. Blessed be His Name!”

Faith in God never fails

The cure for stress is trust. We lay our trust on banks, which fail, on bonds whose values fluctuate, on friends who betray us, on earthly power and dominion, on worldly goods, which are perishable.

We try to build our security on the things that are themselves insecure. As a result, our lives become a ceaseless struggle.

Struggle means uncertainty. Struggle means worry and anxiety, struggle means stress and tension. Much of our time is spent in providing for some untoward happening, which may not occur at all. We spend our time on making our living—and we are left with no time to enjoy the benefit thereof!

If only we learn to believe in God, trust in Him completely—cooperate with His Will—we will be supremely happy.

Therefore, try to greet difficulties with a smile. Never forget that God is in charge of the Universe. He is protecting you, guiding you, guarding you. He will never fail you—then no fear will touch you. If only we could develop such faith, we could sail smoothly even during the stormiest weather!