Faith, Kindness, and the Courage to Keep Going

We live in a world where fear makes a daily bid for our attention. The news is heavy. Our calendars are full. The future, at times, feels like a foggy road. In moments like these, we’re tempted to tighten our grip, draw the shades, and hope the storm passes by.

But our tradition tells us something different.

Again and again, Scripture speaks the words: Do not be afraid. They’re not spoken as a command to toughen up, but as a gentle reminder that we are not alone. In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus says, “Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” We’re reminded that we live not in a world of scarcity, but of divine abundance—a world in which God’s grace, and the kindness of others, are never far from reach.

And haven’t we seen this? A neighbor brings soup when we’re under the weather. A stranger holds the door. A friend checks in when we need it. These small gestures—simple acts of human kindness—are sacred threads in a larger tapestry of God’s love. They ground us. They strengthen us. They remind us that even when things feel uncertain, goodness is quietly at work in the world.

Faith in God and trust in human kindness are not naïve—they are acts of courage. They allow us to step forward, even when the way isn’t clear. To lift our eyes, even when the world feels heavy. And to live, not in fear, but in hope.

So let’s keep the faith. Let’s be the ones who offer a kind word, a warm hand, a gentle presence. And let’s remember: God is with us, and we are never alone.