Fear is a prison, constructed within your mind. It is dark, and the layout is unknown.
You are face down on the hard floor, alone, knees pulled up to the chest, eyes closed tight, and keeping still. There are things wandering about within the darkness. You peek and see a demonic shape, and slam your eyes closed again, attempting to calm your breathing.
In time you have moved about this dark prison and have a rough idea of its shape, may even have found a door.
You hear voices of encouragement, people who care, in real life, here on this board, me.
Eventually you open your eyes, lift your head, and peer about. There is slight glow, ever so little, pushing back the darkness that surrounds you.
Unfolding you arms you sit up to your knees and look about. The glow is now brighter, it is coming from you. Much more of your room is bathed in light. You see these demonic shapes, these fears, and the walls that contain. The light is that of logic and reason.
You start to look at this prison through logic and reason. It is now different; the demons do not move as fast, the walls are somehow less. The same process as for detachment, looking accurately, you are rationalizing your fear, uncoupling your emotions from the possible event.
You rise, stand to full height. Your light is bright, very little darkness survives. You walk within these containing walls and begin to understand.
What is this? A second light has started to glow.
The first light emanated from your mind, your reason. This second light comes from your heart. Compassion springs forth.
The two lights grow in brilliance. Understanding and compassion growing and taking hold. Nothing remains in darkness. All recesses are bathed in a bright glow of both reason and compassion. Both bring different understandings. Those dark swift shapes are not demons, just concerns. The walls are not as scary and large as once seen.
The fears are now understood, reasoned, for what they truly are, the irrational obsessions of possible future events.
The cause of the fears are understood, and your emotional response to fear is abated.
Letting go of fear bring so much peace and strength. You know you will be alright. You feel it.
The path you choose, loving detachment, now enfolds - compassion, empathy, and understanding flourish.
Logic and reason bring understanding and acceptance.
Understanding, acceptance, compassion, and empathy, brings forgiveness.
Now, something truly miraculous occurs. You find two keys within yourself.
You are both prisoner and jailer within these self built walls.
The keys are forgiveness, and your release.
The first, forgiving yourself, removes the door.
The second, forgiving your spouse (and others), removes the prison.
You are released.
Freedom is truly found.
- - - -
You are face down on the hard floor, alone, knees pulled up to the chest, eyes closed tight, and keeping still.
You are reading, and not alone. I know the prison you are in.
You feel a hand on your back and under your elbow. I am there, knelt down right beside you, encouraging you to lift your head.
Fear is a prison and the keys to your freedom are within you.
Let your light shine.
DnJ
Feelings are fleeting. Be better, not bitter. Love the person, forgive the sin.
