What is Fear? Fear is a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined; the feeling or condition of being afraid.

Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 32nd President of the United States once said, “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”

Fear is something that all of us have encountered at one time or another in our lives. Fear is defined by the way we deal with it. There are some that love white mice, rats, and snakes but I’m afraid of them. When I was a kid, a friend of mine wrapped his pet snake around his neck and I was terrified. I got out of there as fast as I could; it was the last time I saw him. Fear made me run away and I never visited him again.

Fear is said to be the most powerful emotion known to man, even more powerful than love. I have imagined becoming a writer and a public speaker practically all my life but fear held me back. Every time I tried to speak, the words would stick in my throat. Finally, I said to myself, Mary old girl, what are you waiting for? You have always visualized doing these things so now is the time. I swallowed hard and got to work writing and practicing speaking in the mirror.

There comes a time when we must override our fears and strike out on faith. Sometimes we may fall but when we get up, we will be stronger and more determined. I once read that fear is: F-false, E-evidence, A-appearing, R-real.

Psalm 91:1-16: “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “ He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust … He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, 10 thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you … For he will command his angels concerning you, to guard you in all your ways … Because he loves me, says the Lord, I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him …”

Be Blessed in Jesus’ Name.

Mary Simmons can be reached at marysimmons@embarqmail.com.