“Fear is a Stranger to the Ways of Love” – Step 8

A man looking over a city as dusk w/ sfz title

“FEAR IS A STRANGER TO THE WAYS OF LOVE” – “I am at home.  Fear is the stranger here. Fear is a stranger to the ways of love. Identify with fear, and you will be a stranger to yourself.  And thus you are unknown to you (ACIM Wkbk Lesson 160)

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 – Sign up to Zonr for Today’s Full SFZ

How have you made a stranger feel more welcomed lately? 

OR

What helps you choose love instead of fear in your daily life?

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CNN explains Mormonism (4:42)

Stranger – Hilary Duff (4:23)

A Guided Meditation for Mormons (22:46)


ENGLISH ANALYSIS

Today’s Zonr post highlights how fear blocks honest connection. A Course in Miracles states, “Fear is the stranger to the ways of love” (ACIM, 1975, Wkbk. Lesson 160). That idea challenges us to release fear so we can meet ourselves with clarity. When we cling to fear, we drift from our inner truth. As we drift, we lose our sense of purpose.

However, Step Eight offers a path forward. Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions reminds us that fear, self-pity, and hurt feelings cloud our self-view (Alcoholics Anonymous, 1952). Therefore, we need outside support to reveal our truth. That support helps us uncover the lessons hidden beneath discomfort. We then grow into fuller honesty.

Furthermore, Margaret Nadauld urges us to welcome others with courage and care (Nadauld, 2000). Her words show how kindness dissolves fear’s grip. When we greet others first, we open a safe space. We invite trust. And through trust, healing becomes real.

Moreover, Wellbriety teachings echo this message. The Elders teach that fear weakens connection, yet love strengthens community (Wellbriety Movement, 2002). They call us to live with open hearts and shared understanding. This approach softens old defenses. It helps us listen without judgment.

Every insight from the post encourages a relationship with truth, humility, and compassion. When we let fear fade, we discover deeper presence. We discover the courage to face amends. We discover peace.


SPANISH TRANSLATIONS

Zonr Quotes (3 stanzas)

“FEAR IS A STRANGER TO
THE WAYS OF LOVE”

“Estoy en casa.
El miedo es el extraño
aquí. El miedo es un extraño
a los caminos del amor. Identi-
fícate con el miedo y serás
un extraño para ti mismo.
Y así quedas desco-
nocido para ti.”
(ACIM Wkbk Lesson 160)


INNER TRUTH: ALLOWING
OURSELVES TO BE KNOWN
BY OTHERS

“Porque todavía nos
molestaban el miedo,
la autocompasión y los
sentimientos heridos, era probable que
no pudiéramos evaluarnos
con justicia. Tendríamos que
recibir ayuda externa si
realmente queríamos conocer
y admitir la verdad
sobre nosotros.”
(12 & 12, pág. 59)


“Pararse como
testigo en todas las
cosas significa ser amable en
todas las cosas, ser el primero en
saludar, ser el primero en
sonreír, ser el primero en hacer
que el extraño se sienta
parte de las
cosas … .”

Margaret D. Nadauld (1944– ),
líder de la Iglesia SUD en EE.UU.


ANÁLISIS EN ESPAÑOL

La publicación de Zonr muestra cómo el miedo bloquea la conexión auténtica. A Course in Miracles afirma: “Fear is the stranger to the ways of love” (ACIM, 1975, Wkbk. Lesson 160). Esa idea nos invita a soltar el miedo y a reconocernos con claridad. Cuando abrazamos el miedo, nos alejamos de nuestra verdad interior. Al alejarnos, perdemos dirección.

Sin embargo, el Paso Ocho ofrece un camino firme. Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions recuerda que el miedo, la autocompasión y las heridas distorsionan nuestra visión propia (Alcoholics Anonymous, 1952). Por eso necesitamos apoyo externo para revelar la verdad. Ese apoyo ilumina lecciones ocultas. Así crecemos con mayor honestidad.

Además, Margaret Nadauld nos llama a recibir a otros con valentía y bondad (Nadauld, 2000). Sus palabras muestran cómo la amabilidad disuelve el miedo. Cuando saludamos primero, creamos seguridad. Invitamos a la confianza. Y mediante la confianza, surge la sanación.

Asimismo, las enseñanzas Wellbriety sostienen un mensaje similar. Los Ancianos enseñan que el miedo debilita la comunidad, mientras el amor la fortalece (Wellbriety Movement, 2002). Ellos nos inspiran a vivir con corazones abiertos. Ese enfoque suaviza defensas antiguas y nos ayuda a escuchar sin juicio.

Cada idea nos guía hacia verdad, humildad y compasión. Cuando el miedo se desvanece, encontramos presencia. Encontramos valor para enmendar. Encontramos paz.


PREGUNTA EN ESPAÑOL

¿Qué te ayuda a elegir el amor en lugar del miedo en tu vida diaria?

Zonr logo on the stranger


Comments

4 responses to ““Fear is a Stranger to the Ways of Love” – Step 8”

  1. Eli🌱🫶🏾🫡🪱 Avatar
    Eli🌱🫶🏾🫡🪱

    I’m not a fan of Schucman, and I don’t believe emotions have polar opposites. It’s not a helpful framework for me. Humans are more nuanced than that- i.e, learning to welcome fear. Acceptance doesn’t require love or hate. And fear isn’t only rooted in ignorance.

  2. Neyun Uzdlah Bayoh Avatar
    Neyun Uzdlah Bayoh

    It’s a joy to be kind and welcoming to new comers either at home or in school, i find it comes naturally for me to want to help other humans feel welcome and comfortable ~ in return i more often than not have a new friend and someone to share experiences in whatever the situation we are in together . There is more openness, trust and joy between us . Kindness is free to give, but it’s the gift that keeps on giving 🩷

  3. E-Dawg Avatar
    E-Dawg

    God is love. I asked God to direct my thinking for the day. If I trust in God who is love then there is nothing to fear.
    And to answer the second question, the newcomer is the most important person at the meeting. So I go out of my way to make sure and greet and introduce myself to the new stranger in Town

  4. Sabrina J Avatar
    Sabrina J

    It is my goal to make the stranger feel welcome and move from stranger to friend as quickly as possible. A commitment that I have at a weekly meeting is focused on this as a greeter When I first started, I was nervous, who was I to greet people to a meeting where I was the newcomer. Yet, I did it anyway. And now, after a few months of regular service, I am greeting friends every week and the newcomers as well. Start and soon the road becomes familiar.

    Thank you for sharing recovery with me. Grateful.

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