From My Perspective - - -

On an individual basis, fear is an innate reality – a child in a playground in the presence of a bully; the soldier in battle and an unseen enemy, or one willing to be a human bomb; receiving word of a disease that is incurable; a criminal breaking into your home and holding one as a hostage – our minds can imagine all sorts of things that can and do generate fear. There is an entire industry that is designed to help and enable people to cope with their fears – the sense of panic, stress and anxiety.

The University of Illinois Counseling Center at Urbana has addressed this reality and offers steps one can follow to alleviate the trauma and fear. Their suggestions under the heading of “Strategies For Coping With Fear After A Traumatic Event” states: After witnessing, experiencing, or hearing about the details of a violent or threatening event, many people experience a heightened sense of vulnerability or fear. In order to better manage this fear reaction, the following suggestions are offered:(1) Validate the fear. Know that it is normal to feel fear and accept the range of emotions you are experiencing. (2) Share the fear with others… (3) Find ways not to be alone. (4) Share responsibilities for tasks that are difficult or frightening for you to do. (5) Strategize how to react in a crisis. (5) Create a safe environment…evaluate the physical surroundings in which you live and work… (7) Get accurate information about the trauma…( Recognize the normal reactions to fear… (9) Remember that you cannot control everything… (10) Realize that the passage of time will decrease your fear response…If over time your fear reactions to a traumatic life event continue to…affect your daily functioning, professional assistance may be of benefit.” Are they correct?

Is there not a greater purpose for fear as an innate reality? In the remarkable and wonderful way in which mankind has been made, does Fear have a useful and beneficial purpose for one’s well-being? The Bible addresses the subject of Fear in a relevant way for the betterment of mankind. The Hebrew uses three words that mean: “reverent fear, terror, or dread.” The English Translations generally translate these words simply as Fear. In the Greek, there are two words used to mean either fear or terror (Phobia), or reverence or honor (tamao). When it comes to how one should approach a Holy God, the English tends to gloss over “Fear – Being Afraid” by likening God to an earthly monarch and how one would approach such a one with solemnity, awe or reverence. However, God wants His creation to approach Him differently. In Jeremiah 5:21-24, we are given God’s design for how mankind should approach Him. “Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who have eyes, but see not, who have ears, but hear not. Do you not fear me? Do you not tremble before me? I placed the sand as the boundary for the sea, a perpetual barrier that it cannot pass; though the waves toss, they cannot prevail…But this people has a stubborn and rebellious heart; they have turned aside and gone away. They do not say in their hearts, Let us fear the Lord our God...” It sounds like an observation about our world culture and our own country.

Romans 1:18-32 contains a summary of where we may be as a nation – unrighteousness everywhere, as well as how and why we have gotten where we are. “…And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness…They are…haters of God, insolent...Though they know God's decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.” Why is this the case? Why has this generation abandoned God and His Word? In Romans 3:10-18, there is another summary of what God sees: “None is righteous...no one understands; no one seeks for God…the way of peace they have not known. There is no fear of God before their eyes.” In the midst of this cultural indifference toward God, there is still a flickering gleam of hope. In Romans 3:24, God still allows that one can be “…justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,” Don’t let this moment escape you.  Turn to Jesus Christ for redemption, forgiveness, new life in Him. Be thankful that His Love, His Mercy, His Grace remains available for all who will believe in Him. Consider these things with me!