Frequently I have to have a discussion with myself: No, Theresa….you do not have a brain tumor. (Note to self: See David. My chiropractor.) Caleb’s freckle isn’t a malignancy. And no, Jay isn’t going to die in a freak accident driving to work. (Most likely anyway.)
From fear in relationships (What did she really mean by that comment?) to some pretty ridiculous fears (Remember the paranoia that the Cabbage Patch dolls were demonic? I never could quite understand that one) to well, the news is truly scary lately.
My sister told me how researchers have isolated a “worry” gene. Interesting stuff. And then this article talks about how researchers can erase bad memories with a pill. I find the study amusing because the associated a picture of a particular spider with a mild shock so study participants would associate the spider as a bad memory. (I personally need no assistance in creating a bad memory when I look at any spider.)
Fear does not discriminate against age. When I was a kid, a driving fear was getting my bowl of the sweetened cereal before my siblings hogged it down. Trust me…that fear was NOT driven by the fear gene, rather experience.
Even independent thinkers have a hefty helping of fear. Our friend and mentor, Chris Davis has observed that in particular, Home school moms are among the most fear-ridden people he’s ever met. Are we doing enough? Are their gaps in my child’s education? Will they be maladjusted? Blah, blah, blah.
Then today I read Wayne Jacobsen’s blog. He talks about the fear people expressed over “The Shack” being printed by secular publishers abroad. His response:
I find many believers by and large live with far too many suspicions of other people. They’d prefer to live inside of those fears, then let circumstances play out and see if there is in fact a problem.
Yep—across the spectrum…I think all of humanity has the worry gene. It drives lawsuits, destroys relationships and keep us from living loved.
Worry doesn’t change anything…it just gives us a false sense of control of that which we have not control. It’s a human tendency and satan’s greatest tool in the world today, me thinks. Is it any wonder Jesus told us several times to “fear not”
Somewhere in all this one must draw a line in the sand and say: NO MORE. Stuff happens. We’re all gonna die anyway. How do we want to pass the time between now and then? Riddled with fear and suspicion or enjoying ice cream and a laugh with our loved ones?
Again, from Wayne:
I think Jesus said it best. Be as wise as serpents and as harmless as doves. Keep your eyes open, but don’t live to speculation when reality will always unfold on its own.
Filed under: Spirituality | Tagged: fear, fear not, living loved, worry | 2 Comments »
