St. Nicholas of Serbia: Missionary Letters

During the war, one fearful soldier was sent to scout. Everyone knew his fearfulness and laughed when they found out where his foreman was sendinghim . Only one soldier did not laugh. He went up to his comrade to support and encourage him. But he answered him: "I will die, the enemy is very close!" “Don’t be afraid, brother: the Lord is even closer,” the good comrade answered him. And these words, like a big bell, rang in the soul of that soldier, and rang until the end of the war. And once a timid soldier returned from the war, he was awarded many orders for courage. So his good word transformed: "Do not be afraid: the Lord is even closer!"

(From the book of St. Nicholas of Serbia: Missionary Letters)