Fear

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THE WORD IS FEAR

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Sometimes fear is a very helpful thing that keeps us from harm, but many times it’s an inner voice and barrier that keeps us stuck. Fear is an emotion that keeps us from getting what we want and becoming who we honestly, deep down want to be.

We live with fear whether it is from a pandemic virus or just having to carry out the normal functions of life. We all have fears. Some of our fears are quite easily proven, while others are rather absurd. The sad thing is that whether they are real or imagined they still affect us in great ways. Our computers and bookshelves are lined with resources to overcome fear. Despite all our efforts, fear lives on.

Learning to handle fear and overcome it is the ultimate goal of every one of God’s creatures. People have climbed mountains, jumped out of airplanes, and sailed solo across oceans in an attempt to conquer fear. The quotes and scriptures are just small tools to perhaps allow you to think about what role fear plays in your life and how you might minimize its effect.

On the other hand, fear is a necessary part of who we are, and we can know that, “Fear makes us feel our humanity.” Those are the words of Benjamin Disraeli a 19^th century British Prime Minister. Fear is both friend and foe, and we must learn to make peace with the fear that lies within each of us.

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Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.

― Marie Curie

Without fear there cannot be courage.

― Christopher Paolini

First of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself – nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.

― Franklin D. Roosevelt

He who has overcome his fears will truly be free.

― Aristotle

The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek.

― Joseph Campbell

It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live.

― Marcus Aurelius

Do the thing you fear and the death of fear is certain.

― Ralph Waldo Emerson

Fear defeats more people than any other one thing in the world.

― Ralph Waldo Emerson

Ignorance is the parent of fear.

― Herman Melville

He who is not everyday conquering some fear has not learned the secret of life.

― Shannon L. Alder

Never let the fear of striking out get in your way.

–Babe Ruth

Fear is the main source of superstition, and one of the main sources of cruelty. To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom.

— Bertrand Russell

Fears are educated into us, and can, if we wish, be educated out.

— Karl Augustus Menninger

Too many people are thinking of security instead of opportunity. They seem to be more afraid of life than death.

— James F. Byrnes

The Lord is my light and my salvation;

  whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life;

  of whom shall I be afraid?

Cast your burden on the Lord,

  and he will sustain you;

he will never permit

  the righteous to be moved.

~~~Psalm 27

For I, the Lord your God,

  hold your right hand;

it is I who say to you, ‘Do not fear,

  I will help you.’

~~~Isaiah 41:13

The fear of others lays a snare,

  but one who trusts in the Lord is secure.

~~~Proverbs 29:25

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

~~~Romans 8:38-39

But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the leader of the synagogue, ‘Do not fear, only believe.’

~~~Mark 5:36

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he placed his right hand on me, saying, ‘Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last,

~~~Revelation 1:17

‘So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

~~~Matthew 6:34

When the cares of my heart are many,

  your consolations cheer my soul.

~~~Psalm 94:19

I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.’

~~~Joshua 1:9

LORD, fear has cheated me of more of your blessings than any other emotion. Fear has robbed me of the joy, peace, abundance and so many other things that you desire for me to possess. Let me this day use the grace that you have bestowed upon to move beyond my fear into your world of blessings. Let me put aside the defeat that fear wishes me to possess and move to the victory that you have given me by your love.

Amen

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