The other day I had one of the most terrifying experiences of my life while sitting on the couch at home.
I was just half watching something on TV, half scrolling my phone, not really paying attention to anything, when suddenly I heard a loud buzzing noise in my ear. What is that? I thought, looking around, but I didn’t see anything. The buzzing kept getting louder and I figured it was a bee or a fly or something but again, I didn’t see anything. I got up and the noise followed me. I made it to a mirror and to my absolute horror, I saw that there was a WASP STUCK IN MY HAIR.
WHAT THE-? I thought, and I grabbed a tissue and tried to flick it off of me. “Get off, get off of me!” I screamed. It was one of those rare moments when I was completely alone in the house – husband at work, kids not home from school yet – so no one was there to hear my terror besides the aforementioned wasp. It remained stubbornly rooted in my hair for what felt like centuries, during which I imagined that at any moment I would feel a sharp sting IN MY SCALP, and I didn’t even want to think about what would happen if I was stung in such a sensitive place.
Miracle of miracles, though, I somehow got the wasp off my head without being stung. It first landed on my shoulder and then after a couple more distraught flicks with the tissue, it was finally off my body and on the floor, where I crushed it as quickly as I could with my husband’s shoe. Sorry, wasp. Thank you for not stinging me but what the heck, dude? WHY did you attack me when I was just minding my own business on my couch in my house? A place that, almost more than anywhere, is supposed to be a safe haven where a person can just relax? Why do these crazy, unpredictable, pointless things just randomly ail us sometimes?
It took a long time for my heart rate to slow down after that freak encounter, and it occurred to me that I couldn’t remember the last time I had felt that physically scared. That pulse-pounding, in the moment, sheer panic of impending pain. And it occurred to me that I should be grateful for that.
Sure, I experience fear a lot, but it’s more of that nagging, “what if?” sort of fear. I fear that something bad will happen to my children. I fear that my husband will get in a car accident on the way home from work. I fear that the doctor will find cancer at my next annual checkup. I fear that a gunman will enter the school where I work. And I do pray a lot about all of these worries, but in that moment of sheer panic with the wasp, the only thought going through my head was, “GET OFF OF ME YOU STUPID THING!”
I hope that’s not how I react if and when I’m presented with another scary moment in the future. I also know that praying about my fears and worries is more effective than just… worrying about them.
Anyone who grew up going to Mass probably knows the hymn that goes “Do not be afraid, I am with you” (it was actually sung at the Mass I went to this morning, coincidentally). There's also the one that goes, "Be not afraid, I go before you always." But it’s not like our brains are going to start singing hymns at the moment you’re being attacked by the Wasp of Death.
In these situations, it’s good to remember that prayer doesn’t have to be long and fancy. With the right reverence and tone, our prayers can be short and casual as well. You can say “Jesus!” in a way that sounds blasphemous and profane, or you can say “Jesus!” in a way that acknowledges that His name alone holds power and deserves respect, awe, and admiration. Even just a “Jesus, help me!” or a “Jesus, be with me!” during moments of fear can suffice and bring you a bit of calm. If you do want to be a little more “fancy,” there is The Jesus Prayer: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” This ancient prayer has been uttered by countless Christians as they go about the trials of their lives.
Many Catholics invoke Mary during times of distress – the Hail Mary prayer being the obvious choice whether you make it through the whole prayer or not. There are also many Bible verses that relate to fear and being afraid – maybe you can find and memorize a short one that you can bring to mind in scary moments.
“Do not fear, for I am with you.” (Gen 26:24)
“Do not fear them, for it is the Lord, your God, who will fight for you.” Deuteronomy 3:22
“Be strong and steadfast! Do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord, your God, is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 (a personal favorite of mine)
“Take courage, woman! Have no fear in your heart!” Judith 11:1
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear? The Lord is my life’s refuge; of whom should I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1
“Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God, he comes with vindication; with divine recompense he comes to save you.” Isaiah 35:4
“Do not fear, beloved. Peace! Take courage and be strong.” Daniel 10:19
And those are all just from the Old Testament!
If you have the time and resources to Google the next time you’re feeling scared, there are many websites that offer pre-written prayers that you can pray when feeling fearful. I found these really nice ones on CollectiveBlessings.com, which can help you find some words to say when you really don’t know what to say. Even if you feel at a loss for words, just acknowledging and opening your heart up to God is the most important part of prayer. He will hear you – even without pretty words.
Again, this can be hard to remember to do during a particularly stressful moment. Strengthening your prayer life and establishing a solid prayer routine during peaceful, regular times will make this much, much easier.
God wants you to turn to Him in good times and in bad, in happy times and sad times, in fun times and in scary times. As Catholics, we need to hone our instinct to do just that – no matter what the situation.