Facing Down Fear

A terrorist lurks in your heart’s dark shadows, waiting to attack at any moment.  His name is Fear – though he often uses such aliases as Concern, Care, or Upset.

Fear keeps us from achieving success. It destroys our dreams. It dashes our hopes. Immeasurable damage is caused by this small four-letter word.

As we run the race of life, fear is a rope which twists and tangles itself around our legs, causing us to stumble, falter, and fail.

Theologian, Paul Tillich, stated that our fears put frightening masks over people and things. They appear to be more dreadful than they really are. When we remove the mask, the terror disappears.

Strangers are not so terrible when we view them as fellow human beings. The future is not nearly so fearful when we see it as it is -- realizing that life will go on.

"There is nothing to fear," quoted Franklin D. Roosevelt, 'but fear itself." It is the greatest enemy of courage, progress, and enthusiasm.

As Pogo said, "We have met the enemy -- and he is us!"

So, how do we face fear head on, rather than waiting for it to attack us?

1. We must learn to trust in God. The 23rd Psalm says, "I will fear no evil because you are with me." God's presence brings calmness and eliminates anxiety.

2. We must practice courage. Do the courageous thing -- even if it scares you to death! "Build dykes of courage," said Martin Luther King Jr, "to hold back the flood of fear." Meet your fears with a reservoir of courage, and they will melt away like April snow!

3. We must love sincerely. True love casts our fear (I John 4:18). If you love others, you will not fear them. If you love life, it will not terrify you.

4. We must move forward. We cannot allow small fears to discourage and defeat us. Move ahead! Keep plugging away! Dare to take a chance!

Life is too short to remain handcuffed to anxious stomach-churning thoughts. Break the chains, be bold, and conquer your fears today!