I mentioned Fr. Dajczer’s book, Gift of Faith, Monday night at the Witnesses to Hope talk.  I have previously quoted from his book here, but thought I would give you another “teaser”.  As I said, I can’t recommend this book highly enough.

When St. Paul asked Jesus  to remove some kind of difficulty from his life, Christ answered him that power is made perfect in weakness (cf. 2 Cor 12.8-9). . . . So how great is the role of your fear in God’s economy?  It is there to provoke an act of faith within you.  Fear is a trial of faith and that is why God allows it, so that you may grow in faith.  Trust and faith are made perfect amidst fears.

Fear can contribute to illness in many people.  Fear lies at the basis of neuroses and psychoses.  But it can be an outlet to total abandonment to God.  Everything depends on you.  Fear is a challenge issued to you.  What will you do with it?  Will you allow yourself to be enslaved by its weight?  Or, instead will you try to perform acts of abandoning yourself to Him who is infinite power and infinite love . . . . We cannot rid ourselves of fear as an emotional state, at least not always.  Fear, however, can become a factor that deepens our faith, just as each temptation can.  (pp. 52-53)