Father Rich, thanks for another reflection that resonates with me. I recently come across your Substack, and it has quickly become on of my favorites. As far as this post, fear of rejection has been something grappled with much of my life. Like many things, coping mechanisms over the decades have mitigated it somewhat, but upon my reflection it’s still a factor in my daily interactions. I see many lost opportunities when the fear won, and many positive outcomes when it did not. I am sure sometimes the inaction prevented some pain or anguish, but can’t really know how effective that was versus the missed positives. As I have matured I try to embrace the possible positives but it seems we can often focus more on potential discomfort avoidance than the potential joy of rapport and shared humanity. I can at least enjoy the small victory that I overcame the fear enough to comment!
John, I think you've put your finger on something important. Fear rarely shows us the opportunities we avoided, only the discomfort we escaped. That makes it very easy to overestimate what fear has protected us from and underestimate what it may have cost us. And for what it's worth, I'm glad you pushed through the fear enough to leave this comment. We're better for having your voice in the conversation.
The reflection is amazing. I belong to a Bible study for almost 14 years. And have reflected many times on our Lord's kindness, lack of condemnation, then how much he loves us? We're the ones that beat ourselves up sometimes every day, for past mistakes. Things we haven't said things. We said that we wish we hadn't thank you lord for just being there for us for me.
Magdalena, I think you're absolutely right. One of the most striking things in the Gospels is how often Jesus responds with compassion while we respond to ourselves with condemnation. We can spend years carrying things that God has already forgiven. Thank you for sharing this insight, and for walking faithfully with your Bible study community for so many years.
I'm an Episcopalian by way of Methodist upbringing. Your reflection today hit on my reluctance to ask for help with my own little Substack, The Deep End (https://Lindasclare.substack.com). Would you be willing to recommend? Also my latest book echoes your free book you offered. My devotional, CARRY ME THROUGH: 90 Devotions for When You Can't Go On AMG, 2026) addresses those same fears. I'd love to send you a copy. Is that possible? Thank you in advance. Linda S. Clare
Linda, first, thank you for taking the risk of asking. Given the topic of this reflection, there's something wonderfully fitting about that. Your devotional sounds intriguing, especially since it explores some of the same themes. I'd be happy to take a look. Time is always a little scarce, but I'll make some time over the next few weeks to read through your Substack and will get back to you with some thoughts as my schedule allows. Wishing you every blessing with The Deep End and your new book.
Thank you. I’m an Episcopalian but the publisher is more evangelical than I am. Still, they let me pretty much write my heart as long as I put scripture references throughout. I’ll be looking forward to your thoughts about The Deep End. Warmly, Linda S. Clare
Michelle, thank you for walking this journey with me for the past year. Messages like yours are a reminder that these reflections don't simply get published into the void, they become part of real people's lives. I'm grateful you're here, and grateful for the ways you've contributed to this community simply by showing up and engaging. Thank you for your kindness, and for your constant support… you have encouraged me on in more ways than you know.
Thank you Father
Father Rich, thanks for another reflection that resonates with me. I recently come across your Substack, and it has quickly become on of my favorites. As far as this post, fear of rejection has been something grappled with much of my life. Like many things, coping mechanisms over the decades have mitigated it somewhat, but upon my reflection it’s still a factor in my daily interactions. I see many lost opportunities when the fear won, and many positive outcomes when it did not. I am sure sometimes the inaction prevented some pain or anguish, but can’t really know how effective that was versus the missed positives. As I have matured I try to embrace the possible positives but it seems we can often focus more on potential discomfort avoidance than the potential joy of rapport and shared humanity. I can at least enjoy the small victory that I overcame the fear enough to comment!
John, I think you've put your finger on something important. Fear rarely shows us the opportunities we avoided, only the discomfort we escaped. That makes it very easy to overestimate what fear has protected us from and underestimate what it may have cost us. And for what it's worth, I'm glad you pushed through the fear enough to leave this comment. We're better for having your voice in the conversation.
The reflection is amazing. I belong to a Bible study for almost 14 years. And have reflected many times on our Lord's kindness, lack of condemnation, then how much he loves us? We're the ones that beat ourselves up sometimes every day, for past mistakes. Things we haven't said things. We said that we wish we hadn't thank you lord for just being there for us for me.
Magdalena, I think you're absolutely right. One of the most striking things in the Gospels is how often Jesus responds with compassion while we respond to ourselves with condemnation. We can spend years carrying things that God has already forgiven. Thank you for sharing this insight, and for walking faithfully with your Bible study community for so many years.
I'm an Episcopalian by way of Methodist upbringing. Your reflection today hit on my reluctance to ask for help with my own little Substack, The Deep End (https://Lindasclare.substack.com). Would you be willing to recommend? Also my latest book echoes your free book you offered. My devotional, CARRY ME THROUGH: 90 Devotions for When You Can't Go On AMG, 2026) addresses those same fears. I'd love to send you a copy. Is that possible? Thank you in advance. Linda S. Clare
Linda, first, thank you for taking the risk of asking. Given the topic of this reflection, there's something wonderfully fitting about that. Your devotional sounds intriguing, especially since it explores some of the same themes. I'd be happy to take a look. Time is always a little scarce, but I'll make some time over the next few weeks to read through your Substack and will get back to you with some thoughts as my schedule allows. Wishing you every blessing with The Deep End and your new book.
Thank you. I’m an Episcopalian but the publisher is more evangelical than I am. Still, they let me pretty much write my heart as long as I put scripture references throughout. I’ll be looking forward to your thoughts about The Deep End. Warmly, Linda S. Clare
I'm so grateful I found you a year ago. Your guidance has helped in so many ways. Thanks for being here, Father.
Michelle, thank you for walking this journey with me for the past year. Messages like yours are a reminder that these reflections don't simply get published into the void, they become part of real people's lives. I'm grateful you're here, and grateful for the ways you've contributed to this community simply by showing up and engaging. Thank you for your kindness, and for your constant support… you have encouraged me on in more ways than you know.
I'm so grateful I found you a year ago. Your guidance has helped in so many ways. Thanks for being here, Father.