In the heart of every person there lies a frightened child
These are fearful times in which we live. The economy! Oh my, the job losses! Is that headache a brain tumor? Is that plastic cup I’m drinking from slowly poisoning me?
The ready availability of things to worry about is nothing new to the human condition. The difference today though is our awareness of all things that go bump in the night is broadcasted 24/7. And then it’s Twittered and posted on Facebook and….
Geesh. Someone get me some anti-anxiety medication wouldja?
The more I study the lives of great men and women the more I am learning that how we handle fear is going to define how we live. Movers and shakers moved forward when they were afraid. Consider these quotes, spoken in the midst of some pretty scary circumstances:
“Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!” Admiral David Farragut
“We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans…we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender…” Winston Churchill
While we may not be fighting a physical war, we are very much in a battle. But the battle isn’t Republican vs. Democrat or Homeschool vs. Public School or plastic bottle vs. stainless steel.
This is not the battle. The real battle is how we’re going to handle the FEAR that polarizes us in our differences. It is FEAR that keeps us ignorant and defensive.
But don’t rush right out to purchase The Dummies Guide to Mastering Fear. Because while they may offer a few helpful techniques (like turn off that blasted TV), it still doesn’t deal with the heart of the matter.
Listen, Grasshopper…here’s the key:
Do you know how deeply loved you are?
Perfect love casts out all fear. The Bible.
PS Bonus feature! A Facebook friend posted this link; it’s one of my favorite songs. Sit down and imagine it’s your Creator singing it to you as he shows you his creation. He really is that crazy over you.
Filed under: Spirituality, Stress and worry | Tagged: Annie's Song, Conquering fear, fear, John Denver | 7 Comments »
