Is your world, seen and unseen, one of hate and vitriol spewing from every direction, be it live or via the airwaves? Are people on your commute sitting on their horns awaiting some indiscretion of which to make you aware? Is there tenseness in every conference, pressure in every deal, expectations beyond your power to produce? How can we survive this culture of fear and anger and isolation? Living in a world filled with hate, fear and stress takes some doing. Read more about the top 10 fears holing you back.
How can we recognize that this same planet also contains love and mercy, joy and hope? How can we identify who we are and where we want to be and implement meaningful change? How can we be an instrument of faith and a recipient of peace even in a crooked and perverse world?
Be a Part of the Answer
Let us examine how we can be a part of the answer as we learn to eliminate the unwanted elements in our own lives, protect ourselves and our families from the contaminants from outside sources, and find the power to not only survive but to shine?
Living in a World of Fear
Pundits relate that people are saying they are living in fear more than ever before. What is the cause of your fear? Is it an unsafe living environment? An actual life-threatening vocation that you have chosen? Domestic violence?
Or perhaps a lack of financial stability? Or fear of losing a job? Or the threat of ill health or loss of life? Is it promulgated by national and international happenings? Or perhaps the unknown?
So many things can bring fear into our lives.
Loss of control is a fear. Some people are more afraid of success and the demands that would accompany prosperity or position than they are of failure. These are the personal fears of not being good enough, not measuring up either professionally or personally.
Or perhaps it is the world situation, the threats on our freedom as a nation, or the demands you feel on your time to keep up with the current news. Living in a world filled with hate, fear and stress can become exhausting and cause burnout.
Fear is a Natural Emotion.
It is powerful and primitive and a reaction to some type of perceived threat. It is a self-protective mechanism in some instances. Fear is normal and we must learn to face our fears, learn to deal with them and to benefit from facing them. Getting beyond the fear helps us not only to conquer that fear, but to benefit from the experience.
The presence of fear does not mean you have no faith. Fear visits everyone. But make your fear a visitor and not a resident.
Max Lucado
Surviving in a World of Fear and Stress
Our world is filled with hateful rhetoric and the cacophony of bitter retorts and accusations. We cringe at the anger that spews forth from the mouths of even close associates. Wisely, we limit our exposure to this at online and social sites.
However, the political atmosphere and vitriol spills over into our everyday lives. People react to their inner tension in totally unacceptable ways. It is difficult to avoid it completely. This may produce fear in your children, at your workplace, and even in an unprotected heart and spirit.
But we read in 2 Timothy 1:7:
God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and a sound mind.
Through the years, I have found that repeating that verse to myself has centered me many times. Who is in control here? We can entrust that fear to be chased away with faith in the Emmanuel – Jesus Christ – God with us. Faith defeats fear. Faith conquers fear. We cannot do it in ourselves, but through faith in the only true and living God. He can change us from a quivering weakling into a peaceful person of courage and strength.
If you would like to experience a true relationship with God through his son, Jesus Christ, we invite you to watch the GREAT NEWS FOR YOU Video on this page.
