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JMJ
"Everyone has troubles. The only thing to do is to resign oneself to the will of God and courageously take up one's cross daily."
(St. Zelie Martin)
The Cross: it sets apart the faithful and steadfast Christian from the fearful and erstwhile disciple. The latter avoids it assiduously, foregoing freedom for security, shielding himself from potential harm, even at the cost of sealing himself off from potential and abundant bliss.
Fear of suffering suffocates the soul and enfeebles the body. Fortitude- courage in the face of hardship and oppression- heartens the weary soul and strengthens one's resolve to "take [his] share of suffering as a good soldier of Jesus Christ." (2 Tim 2:3). The disciple who practices fortitude draws his strength from his reliance on God's inexhaustible mercy and grace; whereas his cowering counterpart exhausts his endurance from his dependence on himself.
One who clings to fear may protect himself from harmful wounds by fortifying the heart's defenses from any potential inflictions that may occur, but as it chooses security over vulnerability, the soul closes in on itself: pain cannot penetrate but now neither can love.
The valiant soul understands that though vulnerability may expose the heart to the cruel pangs of sorrow, it is only through this abject humility and openness that a limitless love can be fully received and serenely embraced.
