If you wish to live and escape from disaster leave everything in the hands of God and say, “O my God, you are the only support for me, and I need your love and affection. I have surrendered myself unto you. In whatever way you wish me to live, I will live that way; whatever you give me to eat I will eat that; whatever you give to me I will get myself involved in it and feel satisfied with it. I have no ambitions. O God, I have full faith in you. I do not have any confidence in anyone else than you. I have full faith in you – whatever you ordain for me I am sure it would be good to me and that will be beneficial to me.” Such a situation had occurred in the past on several occasions with many people. Those people who had faith in you, they only survived and remained free from worries.

Japan is frequently rocked by earthquakes. A Japanese saint was sitting deeply engaged in meditation in his chamber. Members of the family who were serving were sitting around him. They requested him to bless them and address them on some spiritual issues. The saint said, “Whenever you get inflicted with fear, or worries surround you, then you should turn inwards and begin to introspect to find solace. You will discover that your worries and fears have vanished. Do not think of the world and never worry about the world. Only keep God in mind.” As he was talking to them there was a strong and sudden jolt of the earthquake. All those who were sitting around and listening to him ran away out of fear. Those in houses ran towards the road outside and those who were on the road ran towards their houses.

Nobody thought of the saint who was sitting in the house. After an hour people returned to their house and to find as to what had happened to the saint. They found that the saint was sitting still in the room at the same place. People started narrating of the losses and damages caused by the earthquake. It was a huge loss, many telephone lines were snapped, many electric poles had fallen, a lot of trees got uprooted and many houses had fallen down. It was a terrible and damaging earthquake. Someone said that he was outside then and had come in here with great difficulty. Someone said that he was still inside his house at that time and had run out to the open field. The open field is safer than staying inside the house. Apparently, everyone was desperately looking for a safe place. Everyone was trying to find a safe place for their protection.

The saint was still in the meditation mode, sitting peacefully and fully composed. Someone shook the saint and asked whether he too had run out of the house. The saint said, “Yes, I too had a run.” “But you were sitting here only”, someone enquired. “You have not gone to a safe place to protect yourself.” The saint said, “I too had to run. I did run towards a safe place. However, I came to realize that wherever I run in the world everywhere there is fear. That is why I thought why I should not move towards the origin of the earthquake. I should move towards the power which generates the earthquake, and he also knows how to stop it. He only knows how to shower love, and how to show compassion. You people had run outside while I ran inside me and ran towards the God who is sitting inside me. I than got rid of the fear and became fearless. It is like the child who runs towards the lap of his parents and his fear then vanishes.

In the same way, I ran towards my father and by getting into his lap my fear had vanished.” Worrying is a very serious problem, which we are unable to handle and suffer greatly. Who can we give our worries to? There is only one to whom we can give our worries – it is God alone. He only can handle them. God will accept our worries if we are his devotees, His children. God is all powerful. He can handle what no one can. If we cannot handle a problem, we must give it to someone who can. Of course, you must have complete faith in the power of God and his willingness to save you from any kind of harm arising from a real or imaginary source. Devotion, faith and compassion are
therefore important factors which we should keep in mind while remembering God. We should also think in the same way. If the bondage of fear begins to give us trouble, there is only one way and that sure way is the way to God. Move towards him. He takes care of you and frees you from fear and worries. Meditate on him, remember him, fall on his feet and seek his blessings. You will then realize how kind he is and how he showers His Grace on you. You will then enjoy the peace of mind and feel blessed.