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Dealing With Fear
Fear is something we Floridians seem to have to deal with every day now. Economic worries, fear of terrorism, fear for our families, and now updated fear every week as we are stalked by another powerful Hurricane. Dealing with fear is one thing I know something about. I have lived most of my life fighting fear. Only a few years ago, while serving as pastor of my second congregation did I learn there may be medical reasons for my constant bouts with anxiety. The doctors say I probably have a chemical imbalance in my brain. For that I have taken a constant stream of “depression” pills. Most of the time they work, sometimes they don’t. As hurricane Ivan has set its sights on our area I have noticed a lot of people having trouble dealing with anxiety. Yesterday, Friday, long lines at gas stations here in Ocala suddenly appeared as on unfounded rumor spread through the community that the state was going to start rationing gasoline. And there is a unmistakable nervousness in the air in every grocery store I shop in. While in the bank yesterday I joked with one another customer that maybe these hurricane attacks were God’s way of helping us put the terrorist threat in perspective. As we observe the anniversary of the 9/11 attack today, I remain somewhat amazed that our nation is still held captive several years latter by an overriding fear of terrorism. Especially when other problems like our country’s failing health care system, the financial problems of our social security program, and many other concerns actually are much more threatening to the well being of the average American. Fear has become a big sale for us this year in politics and the general market place. So perhaps it’s time I shared what I learned a long time ago from Franklin D. Roosevelt: “We have nothing to fear but fear itself.” The most dangerous thing about fear is fear. Life can be a cruel and uneven experience at times, but the Bible tells us beginning in Genesis that God created a “good” and dependable world. Dependable in that all storms pass and life continually is reborn even after the worst of times. Dependable because we came from God, and no matter what happens in this life, we are going back to God. What happens after that may be better news for some than others but we still can depend that a compassionate, loving, Creator has control of the situation. My oldest daughter, with some help from her husband, has blessed our family with a two-year old, and a four-month old grandsons. Talk about living in constant fear an anxiety. That’s a situation no parent can feel comfortable with. She constantly struggles and frets for their well being and that she’s not being a good enough parent. I just laugh and tell her try to relax. The things that seem so earth shaking to her right now aren’t really as important as she thinks. We were just like her as parents. And only now, having graduated to grandparenthood, can I look back and wonder at the things I worried about. Of course, fear and worrying have their place. They are good defense and preparation emotions when used correctly. But let’s be honest, no matter what we sing in our hymns we believers don’t trust God for much. Why else would we need insurance and bank accounts? And the faith many of us practice we hope is of an insurance policy against bad times more than an anticipated source of strength and spiritual growth for whatever life may throw our way. If we praise God enough on Sunday maybe the Lord will keep the hurt away on Monday. And just in case God needs help keeping things in order, we have our retirement accounts, government programs, and military strength to fall back on. Often it takes something like three world-class hurricanes in one month to remind us how little power and worldly security we really have in this life. And this wake up call is really where a lot of our fear comes from. Feeling powerless brings on the fear. But we really aren’t powerless just misguided. Cashing in our faith as an insurance policy and trading it for more complete dependence on God can give us the power to be born again. Not just survive mind you, but be born again, as better people. No it’s not that easy. I still struggle with the process myself. But through many setbacks and troubles in my life it is mainly my faith in God – and children and grandchildren help some – that give me hope in this constantly falling apart world. Hope is the only effective antidote to living in fear.
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