Fear Factor

By Vickie G. Paver

A friend and I have been discussing "fear." While thinking about this subject, I realized since the tragedy of the World Trade Center, people are more open to discussing emotions like fear. However, as we all know, terrorists' acts are not the only things that cause fear. Nature itself can invoke fear in us. Natural forces are at work like never before. Hurricanes, tornados, wild fires are all taking their toll on people. Recently nature has been at work and changes in the weather have dumped snow much further south than usual, rendering whole states inoperative.

While the United States is battling winter snowfalls that immobilize states in the south and highways in the north, Australia has been battling wild fires. The smoke from the fires is so bad that they say birds are literally dropping out of the sky. Homes have been lost---but so far no lives lost. This time the fires were not caused by lightening strikes, but by twenty-one people the police and media are calling "21 devils." However, nature is still at work and the exceptionally dry summer in Australia is causing the fires to run rampant. Fright and alarm grip many hearts as they wait to see if the fires will affect them.

Today, January 3, 2002 whole states were shut down by a snowstorm that hit, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia, with Florida getting a dusting in areas! It took my mother-in-law 3 hours to drive what would normally be a twenty-five minute jaunt! The tragic part is at least seven people died in accidents caused by the snow. Also, across the world in Tokyo on Jan. 2, 2002 heavy snow blocked trains, grounded planes and played havoc with traffic! Central Japan had been on the receiving end of the heaviest snowfall in twenty-seven years! Some of us can sit back and watch the news and are removed from the fear that millions of people are experiencing and have experienced.

A few weeks ago, on Thursday, December 27th, 2002 an earthquake was felt in the Hindu Kush mountain range in Afghanistan. Just minutes later the quake was felt in Pakistan and parts of northern India. That part of the world is already reeling from oppression by the Taliban and war. Starvation is also a reason for anxiety and distress in their lives and perhaps innocent people are feeling the situation hopeless.

As if it isn't bad enough that nature and world tragedy cause fear in many people, some actually go looking for "fear." A new television show in America, called "Fear Factor, seems to hold thousands spellbound as the participants let hundreds of snakes and scorpions crawl all over them. Last night I heard they are going to try even greater "fear invoking" stunts!!! What are they nuts?!!! Personally, I think there is enough "real life fear" without looking for it.

What about fear when it comes up close and personal---like in recent terrorists attacks in the USA? How do we handle it? Some of you may or may not have faced a hurricane, earthquake, or had to drive in a blizzard. Hopefully, you are not wacky enough to apply as a participant on "Fear Factor!"

People suffer from the fear of many things, such as, fear of flying (a big one today and with good reason) fear of height, fear of dogs, fear of failure, fear of closed in places and fear of tunnels and bridges…just to name a few fears. If you look in your local bookstore you will probably find several books on how to overcome fear. Although, some of these may be helpful, I would like to point out what God has to say about fear. Below I have listed a few verses in the Bible that speak to us about fear.

A Comfort: Psalms 23: 4 "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

A stronghold: "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?

Who should we fear? Luke 1:50 "His mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation to generation.

I definitely have a healthy fear and respect for God and have committed my life to Him. As long as I live for Go, I really have nothing to fear. I'm not saying I don't have fears, but God has made promises to His children to help them through fear. He has promised to be with us through everything---and that means fear too! It isn't a pat answer, but instead an answer for you to look at and think about. So how does this answer the question of how to overcome fear? Sometimes, God helps us through other people who may pray for us or counsel us. Sometimes it is a matter of committing the fear to the Lord. However, as we face our fears we need to keep in mind God's promises and realize even though we fail---God never fails and is always with us. I hope that this has some how helped you as you face your fears. 

A Promise: Isaiah 41:10 "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."