If someone is frightened and comes to you for advice, do not give a spiritual pep talk and a list of examples on how your faith deals with fear. The most important thing is being in a deep and compassionate presence with them and listening intently.
A person who is expressing fearful thoughts needs a calm and caring person to listen to those fears and to help the speaker integrate those fears into their thinking. Their fear is causing their suffering as they've attached a sense of security to impermanent ideas, which is that their income, life and family are all unchangeable.
Fear does not have to cause suffering. There is a Buddhist concept of "leaning into the needles" which means that rather than run from fear, it is wiser to investigate the sources of fear and the truth that all things change. As the American Buddhist nun and author, Pema Chodron, wrote: "Fear is a natural reaction to moving closer to the truth."
By being fully present with a person suffering fear and supporting them while they examine the source of their pain, you will help them address their fears. They will then be able to work through the panic and inertia toward a solution that is their own creation.
The truth is all things will change, but you don't have to suffer. As Zen Buddhist's say: "Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional."
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