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The fear level of this country was raised enormously on January 1, 2025-the day of the terrorist attack in New Orleans-where 14 people were killed and numerous other hurt, some seriously, by a deranged man who drove a truck down a sidewalk in the French Quarter.  Add to that the truck explosion that took place on the same day in front of a hotel in Las Vegas.  Of course, terrorism occurs in other parts of the world but not so much in the United States.  However, what occurred on the first day of January reminds us again just how vulnerable we all are.

Consequently, since fear or anxiety which often leads to fear is no stranger to any of us I thought it might be helpful to indicate some ways of dealing with it.

First, fear is overcome when l faith is placed in the Presence-the all sufficiency of God.  Centuries ago the psalmist testified, “The Lord is my light and salvation; whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”  Psalm 27 of which these two verses are a part, is a psalm of trust.  The psalmist acknowledges his reliance on God.  The main answer to our uneasy fears is faith, faith in the goodness of God, faith in the providential care of our Heavenly Father and faith that this is still God’s world.  It was this kind of faith reliance which allowed Jesus to sleep without fear amid the storm on the Sea of Galilee. 

Second, concerning fear, many of us have heard some practical advice all our lives that continues to be valid today-“Stay off unnecessary bridges until you get there.”  However, we haven’t always heeded that advice.  Sometimes we get so obsessed by what might happen that we lose our sense of well-being.  One step at a time should be our guideline.  And as someone mentioned, “peering around the corner“ won’t help.  Think about it!  How many times has some dreaded future ended up in the joy of sunshine.

Third, when fear arises one of the solutions is to do something and to do it immediately.  Whatever we can practically think of-make a call, write a letter, give to a worthy charity, do a good deed, offer a prayer, read a book.  Taking action will renew our focus.

Finally, we can remember the power of love!  If love casts out fear, as we are told, then the more we love, the less time we’ll have to fear.  I read somewhere that a mother took her child to the circus.  Somehow the  little girl wound up in the lion’s cage.   When the mother realized what was happening she ran, jerked open the door to the lion’s den and rescued her daughter.  Out of the mother’s love for her daughter, she put aside her own fear of lions and risked her life on behalf of her daughter.  To be sure, love casts out fear!

Certainly, there are other ways of dealing with and overcoming fear, but these are some of the best ways-give them a try the next time you are fearful.