So how do you build trust in God and love others when you feel so afraid? How do you stop thinking about yourself and what might happen?
I use this shortcut: First, I put a stop to worrying about the future by focusing on the present; and by that I mean, I become aware of where I am right now in physical space. Once I am connected to current reality, I look around for something that makes me thankful–anything at all.
Sometimes when the fear is big enough, it’s all I can do to just open my eyes. (Sometimes this is true in an emotional way–I don’t want to face something. And sometimes the fear is so strong that it becomes physical–I literally don’t want to open my eyes.)
You may have felt the same way, but just try it with me: Open your eyes and be present, and look around for some physical thing that helps you feel thankful. I promise that you will find something, even if it is only the fact that you can breathe, or that you can feel the warmth and light of the sun, and then after you find one or two blessings, just keep going. Be thankful that you can walk, that you have a place to live, and that you have a warm bed at night. (Ignore any protests against the blessings you find; that is the voice of the liar, and he is just trying to steal your joy.)
After you finish counting your visible blessings, begin to count your invisible ones (like the love of your children or spouse, or a friend who loves you), and as you continue to count, you’ll find the fear is easier to leave behind. (Why should you fear, when so many things are right in the world?) With so many blessings, it becomes easier to embrace love. (When you realize your cup overflows, it’s easier to share.)
So now you have made it from fear to love. How does that change things?
“Have I not destroyed my enemies when I have made them my friends?”
Instead of being worried about your own safety, you consider your neighbor’s situation. Maybe they don’t have enough food: Share some of your store. Maybe they are discouraged: Give them something to hold onto, some help you have to offer. Most likely they will react with gratitude and/or disbelief. They will probably want to give you something back. But however they react, realize that you have connected with them in a way that was impossible before when you were consumed by fear.
That is the power of love. It first changes us, and then it transforms our enemy into a friend.
The Fullers Four 