Tag: Fear

  • Blog. Woman. Troubled. 3.20WATCH OUT! DISASTER IS COMING YOUR WAY!

    Variations on that theme run through every talk show and every news report. Whether it's the latest COVID variant or inflation or the weather, it sounds like everything is bad and getting worse.  

    Many of us might nod in agreement.

    This keeps us running scared and feeling unsettled. We're living out the old  cliché, "Waiting for the other shoe to drop," because no one knows what comes next. 

    Or perhaps what troubles you and wakes you with a racing heart has nothing to do with any headline news. It's way deeper, down to your core. Maybe you can't even remember when the haunting started.

    This brings the question: Is it possible to maintain a calm center, no matter what comes?

    That's our job as grownups, isn't it? Especially if we're Christians.

    Sure, but how?

    How do we ditch living in fear? Whatever our challenge, it's always wise to begin with the basics: principles that are true, no matter who we are or what the situation. 

    • Be watchful, yes, but fearful, no
    • Focus our attention on facts, not rumors, nor on the endless "what ifs" 
    • Do our best to live healthy by eating right and getting plenty of sleep
    • "Think health" instead of "thinking sick"
    • Speak peace instead of fear, knowing each time we do we reinforce the peace within us    

    These simple things make sense 365 days of any year and we have power to carry them out right where we are.

    Yes, but … that doesn't sound like enough

    I know. When we're feeling shaky inside and can't get to sleep at night we want something tangible. Authoritative. Something we can hold onto.

    The truth is, calm that won't quit never comes from "out there." A government official or an "expert" with a string of degrees or even our trusted long-time doctor saying, "Don't worry," only quiets fear for a few hours. 

    That's because we know the truth: Like us, they're only human and they only know what they know … so far.

    We want more. We need more. 

    So where does that leave us?

    How do we shed this deep-down fear that weighs us down? 

    The "more" we seek comes from within. Each of us constantly fills our minds and hearts with something–and we get to choose what it is. This dictates our day-by-day question:

    Will we feed the fear or feed the peace?

    It takes no effort to stoke uneasiness. All we have to do is look and listen.  

    To nurture inner peace costs us something. I'm not talking yoga or meditation or any of those self-help relaxation practices. As useful as they may be, they don't fear-proof our hearts for long.  

    (How do I know? Over the years I've tried several of those methods.)

    Here's what I learned from dealing with my own "hard stuff"  

    First I had to gather up all the tormenting "what ifs" and stuff them into a box in the attic of my mind. (Yes, they kept creeping out but if I persisted, gradually they stayed put. At least most of the time.)

    All day, every day I need to remember who I am. I am loved by God, simply because I believe in Jesus as my Savior. Period. That's what the Bible calls "grace."

    For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God–not by works, so that no one can boast.   Ephesians 2:8-9  NIV

    Did I pray? Of course, and God always, always, always gave me strength and courage to face whatever came.

    I drew courage from the Bible, too

    For years I have underlined verses that touched my heart and spoke to my spirit. I also jotted down brief references on the blank pages at the back, in case I forget where they are. (These days I also have the Bible on my smartphone and often list my notes there.)  

    Bible verses like these:

    • The Lord will keep you from all harm–he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.   Psalm 121:7  NIV

    • When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. …   Psalm 56:3-4  NIV

    • For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-control.   2 Timothy 1:7  NIV

    • (The Lord said to Joshua)  "Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."  Joshua 1:9  NIV

    • (Jesus said)  "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."   John 14:27  NIV

    As time goes by you will discover verses to add to that list

    Look for verses that touch your heart because they speak faith and reassurance. Keep them at the ready for whenever you feel fainthearted about your life or about the future.  

    Let's be clear about one thing. We Christians do not remember and speak Bible verses as some sort of magic charm. Rather, those times when we quake in fear–whatever the reason(s)–such verses remind us who is really in charge and has the power to help us:

    "For I am the LORD your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you."   Isaiah 41:13  NIV

    He is speaking to you, my friend, and to me. In every occasion or dark corner of fear that comes upon us, now or in the future. We are not alone.

    What more could we ask?

    Thanking God with you,

    Lenore

    How to shed the fear that keeps crowding in

  • The 20th anniversary of 9/11 occurs this year, 2021. 

    That day changed the way we Americans think and introduced all of us to a new kind of fear, an underlying anxiety. 

    Blog. 9.11 bldgs. 9.17Even now, television replays and photos of that day shock us and remind us of the ongoing horror and the sorrowful days that followed.

    Some ask what good does it do to remember because no one can rewrite one second of that day?

    Yet we must remember, if only to recall to our minds that 9/11 changed life as we knew it and ushered in extensive safety and security restrictions as "normal" in our daily lives. 

    Perhaps we need the annual reminder that life is fragile and each one of us is vulnerable at any moment of any day.

    It could have been any of us that happened to be in the World Trade Center at that exact moment  

    Less than two months before 9/11, a friend and I sat in the the glass-walled Observation Tower on the top floor of one of those Twin Towers.

    It was my first time in Manhattan and I loved it.

    My husband and I lived in Washington state and I sang with a community choral group. In July of 2001 our Chorus traveled across the country to give a few concerts. New York City was to be our second stop.

    First we sang for a large national church conference group in Washington, D.C.

    Our performances ended mid-afternoon. That gave most of our chorus members ample time to head on over to the U.S. Capitol. We all knew from watching past Independence Day celebrations on TV that's what was scheduled for the evening of July 4th.  

    Now we–with no prior arrangements whatsoever–wanted to watch it up close and personal, so we decided to chance it whether we could find a place among the mass of attendees. After all, the hotel clerk said, "Just walk on over and find a place to sit."

    A carefree July 4 in DC  

    About sunset a group of us singers/sightseers found empty spots where we could perch on the steps of the U.S. Capitol. 

    Not a barrier in sight. No fenced-off areas. All around us people were strolling about freely.  

    It seemed like a photo-shoot of America. The grounds were filled with folks of all ages and every color, many conversing in unfamiliar (to us) languages. Some people spread their blankets and picnics on the Capitol lawn. Some put out lawn chairs brought from home and positioned themselves to get the best view of the stage show and fireworks to come. Kids did what kids do, playing tag and running around between blankets and chairs.

    We all mingled peaceably and it seemed every face wore a smile.

    Those in our group talked of how amazing and wonderful it was that such large crowds could gather so close to the Nation's Capitol building. One said, "It all reminds you what it means to live in a free country, doesn't it?"

    Not one of us imagined this would be the last time crowds assembled for Independence Day–or any day–would enjoy such freedom of access.  

    Next day we were off to New York City to give another performance 

    We had some personal time earlier in the day. My friend had been there many times and insisted we must go to the Twin Towers, because "Everyone needs to go up on top and just look out at least one time in their lives."

    We took the elevator to the top, the Observation floor, which featured glass walls that stretched around most of that floor. We found empty seats in the front row and sat for perhaps 20 minutes with our knees pressed against the glass.  

    Then I walked all around the roomy space, awed by the evidence of God's creative hand in the beauty of land and sea and sky on all sides. That grandeur touched my heart way more than the works of man, the impressive skyscrapers that dwarfed the Empire State Building. 

    A couple of smiling security guards watched as we came in and when we left, simply observing the people who were there. Nothing more.

    Nothing more was needed.  

    That night our Chorus performed at a concert hall, complete with orchestra.  (I kept pinching myself.) Once again, no complex security requirements. Audience members needed only a ticket. We performers simply walked in the Stage Entrance. One Security guard, casually keeping watch. No hassle, just walk in.

    My heart brimmed over on that trip and on our flight home, thanking God that I was able to be included in that "dream" trip.

    And so blessed to live in these United States of America.

    Who could have known these would be "before" freedoms?

    On 9/11, life changed. For all of us. Never again would we take it for granted that we were safe, simply because we lived in the United States of America.

    Ever since, there's been an underlying sense of fear and watchfulness, as if collectively, we were waiting for "next time." 

    Since 9/11, nobody without proper credentials strolls aimlessly through the U.S. Capitol grounds–or anywhere else in public buildings or grounds of Washington, D.C. Or in most other Government buildings, whether national or state.  

    How have we come safely through these past years? We may credit this Administration or that Administration. We may reel off a long list of agencies and personnel and give credit where, yes absolutely, credit is due.

    Yet every expert in every field tells us the best efforts by the best people remain insufficient. No agency, no amount of armed guards, no amount of money spent for the latest defense equipment, can guarantee the safety of this Nation–nor of us as individuals.

    Evil is real. Evil exists all around us, just as it has since Eden. To consider Evil an outdated concept is akin to burying one's head in the sand.

    The ongoing lesson is this: Only one sure Defense exists 

    By now we all know very well that people and programs are not enough to keep us safe. We need Help that will never fail us. Where can we turn?

    God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.   Psalm 46:1  ESV

    Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.    Proverbs 30:5  ESV 

    Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.   Deuteronomy 31:6  NIV

    What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?   Romans 8:31  ESV

    As a Nation, as individuals, we could not be in better hands–on this day or any day of any year.  

    May God bless America, indeed, and keep us safe, both now and in the future!

    And, Gentle Reader, may you know His peace in your heart and in your life, the peace that passes all human understanding.  

    Trusting and praying, too,

    Lenore

    Ongoing Lessons from 9/11

  • "I am up to here with warnings and arguments and scary stories on the Blog. Two women. coffee shop.7.2021news!" wails the young woman at the next table."

    "Me, too," her friend answers. My kids keep pestering me with questions, but I have no answers.  How do I know if school actually will start this fall? Or if we'll have to wear masks again and all that routine? Or if it's safe to walk or ride a bike around our town, what with people–and kids–being shot at by some stranger driving down the street?  

    "I just want to grab everybody I love and never let go. Maybe never leave home."

    As the two young moms got ready to leave, I heard the younger one say, "Sometimes I think the only safe place is in a cave on some far away island!"  

    Remarks like this swirl around all of us. People are frightened and uneasy, wondering what will happen next. And to whom.

    It seems the torrent of troubles never lets up. 

    Is there any good news to report?

    Answer: Yes, but most of it goes unreported. Television reporters and newscasters and newspaper headlines almost always lead with crimes, tragedies and misdemeanors.

    Trace it back to a standard slogan of the news business: "If it bleeds, it leads."

    Statistics show that readership and TV viewership go up–way up–when they feature bad news and tales of people who assault or kill others. The more horrific the better. Then they get to add in speculations about motives and/or possible crimes.

    They fill in the gaps with opinions on possible doom and destruction that may lurk just ahead.  

    This allows us the "privilege" of consuming a steady diet of this kind of stuff during every waking moment.

    Is it any wonder so many of us feel anxiety that won't quit? 

    What if we made a better choice?  

    Here's the sobering truth. Nobody forces us to feed on the news 24/7–or several times a day.

    It's like an addiction. Maybe someone should start a BNAA: Bad News Addiction Anonymous.

    This startup could borrow the "Serenity Prayer," used by Alcoholics Anonymous and other self-help organizations. Here's one common version:

    God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, and Wisdom to know the difference.

    Repeat aloud (or silently) as often as needed.

    You see, whatever our age, our finances or our life situation, we need something solid to hang onto. We can choose to focus on God's faithfulness.

    That never changes. Never lets us down.

    Because God never changes.

    Remember, God brought us to this day 

    My favorite grandmother, who died at age 101, never lost sight of that and considered every day a gift. The last time I saw her was two years before her death. 

    Grandma's beautiful, wrinkled face glowed as she said, "You know, Lenore, God is SO good. He never left me alone for a minute."

    Ah, yes, Grandma. He never leaves any of His children alone for a minute.

    Anytime. Anywhere.

    So let's fill our minds and hearts with Bible promises like these:

    Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.   Psalm 55:22

    He (she) who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."   Psalm 91:1-2

    (Jesus said) "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."   John 14:27

    How about a new slogan for our life? "If it feeds, it leads."

    We could call it the "Good Stuff Diet."

    Even a snack-size serving, day after day, can drive out fear and plant His peace in its place. The peace that passes all human understanding, remember?  

    Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.   Philippians 4:6-7

    Every day, no matter how dismal the news, we have a choice. Let's choose to see the joy in each day, because that's every bit as real as the bad news. We just have to look for it. 

    Lord, give us eyes to see!

    Lenore 

    Keep your balance in the storm of bad news

  • Ahead of us lies the great unknown. Another 365 days of … what?

    Sometimes the steady stream of What-ifs seems like too much, doesn't it? We want to hunker down and wait for it to blow over.

    Blog. German Shepherd. 10.20Our friend "Jim" found out dogs can feel that way, too.

    During his growing-up years he loved to roam the California hills. One blue-sky Saturday he set off to go exploring. His faithful sidekick "Marley" tagged along at his heels.

    As they came over one hill Jim heard a high-pitched, unfamiliar drone. Marley heard it, too.

    The usually fearless German Shepherd crouched on the grass and refused to budge. No amount of coaxing or scolding could get him moving. 

    At last Jim gave up. The teenager picked up Marley and staggered over the next hill, where the noise barely registered.

    Only then would Marley resume walking on his own.

    You and I may wish we could do what Marley did

    If only we could refuse to budge.  

    We can't, of course, because we have responsibilities and people who need us. Need us to be strong, even when we're quaking with fear inside. 

    We survived 2020. Yay! But here we are, still living under restrictions, wearing masks and  washing our hands. Still wondering what comes next–and when.  

    Frankly, we are tired of this routine. We want to get past it and go on.

    And fear lurks everywhere because we don't know what comes next.

    But here's the thing: We never did. Neither did countless generations before us.

    Like them, we must take one step at a time, one day at a time, fully aware we cannot make it on our own.

    Like them, we're never left to get through all this on our own strength: 

    "For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Do not be afraid, for I myself will help you,' declares the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel."  Isaiah 41:13-14

    Surprises along the way are guaranteed

    We know by experience we won't like some of them. No matter. We need to keep walking if we're to get through our days. 

    This calls for courage–and where do we get a dose of that? 

    For starters, look back to one dark night outside Bethlehem.

    The shepherds out on the hills outside Bethlehem were just living their usual lives, watching out for their sheep. Then one night, suddenly angels filled the skies, singing praises to God. The glory of the Lord shone around them and lit up the darkness with dazzling light. 

    The shepherds fell to their knees. Fearful. What could it mean?

    The angel's words to those humble men apply just as much to you and me today: 

    "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today . . . a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord."    (from Luke 2)

    Fear and apprehension can turn to laughter, even in the night

    Once they heard and saw the angels the shepherds were filled with joy and rushed off to Bethlehem to see for themselves the Baby in the manger. They abandoned their sheep because their desire to see the Baby Jesus crowded out every other thought.  

    What if you and I had the same single-minded yearning to see and know Jesus? 

    Would it change the way we look at our lives and what we consider important? Would we leave fear behind? 

    "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid."  John 14:27  

    For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.  2 Timothy 1:7

    Where is the darkness in your life?

    Every one of us has some sort of "darkness"–difficulty and struggle–in our life. We know by experience that times of calm usually don't last, that danger lurks just off the scene.

    Life is uncertain. All it takes is one false step. One drunk driver. One bad report from the doctor and our life could turn from happy to sad in an instant.

    So then how shall we cope with the uncertainty of being alive?

    The same as all the Christians who went before us, living one day after another, trusting God every step of the way. 

    "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."  Isaiah 41:10 

    Let's leave the shadows behind

    Because we know the Source of joy, we can live fearlessly. Joyously.

    The Bible tells us how.

    Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.  Proverbs 3:5-6

    Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!  2 Corinthians 5:17

    "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."   Jeremiah 29:11 

    We can't know what lies ahead, but we can know God is faithful and His promises are true  

    Marley had an owner who loved him enough to carry him past what troubled him.

    We have so much more. We have Almighty God, our loving Father, who promises to never leave us alone and to strengthen us and carry us through whatever comes. 

    It is enough. 

    Count on it and be at peace,  

    Lenore

    Take your pick: Will you live scared? Or will you live at peace?

  • Here's a quote that's familiar to most of us:

    "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of incredulity, … "

                                                                             –A Tale of Two Cities – Charles Dickens 

    That sounds a lot like our time, don't you think? 

    Add Blog. Troubled woman. 10.14in daily reports of hatred, killings and accusations. 

    Overseas. In cities all across the land. In our state. Our city.

    Maybe even next door.

    We worry over our lives, too. There's that funny-looking mole. The cough that won't go away. Dizzy spells that hit out of nowhere. Rumors of cutbacks at work. The ongoing problems of one of our children. 

    Small wonder we're jolted out of sleep with hearts pounding and a trembling case of the "What ifs."

    What do we do with our fears?

    Whatever our temperament, there's only antidote that works. One that lasts.

    It's remembering Whose we are. If we believe in Jesus as our Savior, it means we are the beloved children of the Everlasting God. 

    But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he (Jesus) gave the right to become children of God. John 1:12  ESV

    Children of the same God who said in 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.  NIV

    So we give our fears to the Lord and simply trust. 

    Again.

    And again.

    As often as necessary.  

    That's what Dr. Kent Brantly did when stricken with Ebola during the outbreak in Africa several years ago

    Brantly served with Samaritan's Purse in Liberia. It might seem a person who gives their life to serve God and people in hard circumstances might have the right to scream, "But I'm serving you, Lord! This is not fair!"

    Not Brantly. He was flown to Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, treated and recovered. Upon his release, Dr. Brantly described how he felt after being diagnosed: 

    "As I lay in my bed in Liberia for the following nine days, getting sicker and weaker each day, I prayed that God would help me to be faithful even in my illness, and I prayed that in my life or in my death, He would be glorified . . . "

    Clearly, Kent Brantly never doubted God's love for him.

    Neither did David, who wrote most of the Psalms. He often faced dangers on all sides, yet he wrote: 

    In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.    Psalm 4:8  NIV

    Let faith drive out fear 

    Kent Brantly and the psalmist David were heroes of faith, but also human beings who knew the taste of fear. So do you and I.

    I've learned there is no better ammunition for fighting fear than talking to our Heavenly Father and reading The Bible.

    This is the time to underline verses that speak to your heart and reassure you. Say them aloud and pray to understand what they mean. Make notes in the margins of your Bible or write the date you realized particular verses "fit" you. 

    Don't let it stop there. Speak them to yourself whenever fears bedevil you.  Or in the middle of the night when you can't get back to sleep. 

    When we fasten our attention on Scripture God's peace will displace fear.  

    Here are a few of my favorite verses: 

    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?  Psalm 27:1  NIV

    He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.–Psalm 91:1-2 (NIV)

    (Jesus said) "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. –John 14:27 (NIV)

     For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. —2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV)

    By the way, this isn't something reserved for 3 a.m. jitters. Trust me, these verses can soothe our spirits any hour of the day.

    All it takes is not LETTING our hearts be troubled, because we know Who's really in charge and we know Whose we are.  

    Still learning and growing, too,

    Lenore

     

    How can we stay upbeat in a downbeat world?

  • Perhaps the most shocking thing about another school shooting is that we're not so shocked any more.

    Blog. Parents reading at table. 2.18
    This is the world we live in. Try to make sense of. Weep over. Pray for.

    Over and over people in the media and Experts of all kinds tell us that whoever the current perpetrator happens to be is "disturbed."

    Why? Blame it on any of these: "Has a record of being in trouble." "Came from a dysfunctional home." "Grew up without a father." "Had physical or mental challenges." "Lived in poverty." "Had alcoholic parents." "Lacked good role models." "Fell through the cracks."

    Take your pick.

    Looking deeper

    Name any underlying cause you choose, whether on that list or not. All are disadvantages, not justification for violent behavior.

    Otherwise, countless individuals over the centuries could not have survived such circumstances and yet gone on to achieve, sometimes notably.

    If all that mattered were the trappings of one's growing-up years, then every child of wealthy and famous parents–the more, the better–would be perfectly adjusted and living a life to be admired.  

    News accounts and celebrity mags provide endless evidence this is not so.  

    How do we find our way?

    First we face the anguishing reality of life: The list of things we have control over is quite small.

    For example, this latest shooting took place in Parkland, FL, a high-income community considered by residents to be safe and therefore, secure.  

    Obviously not. It's not the neighborhood. It's not how large our income. It's not being able to give our kids "all the advantages."

    Rather, security flows out of knowing:  

    • Who/what we believe in
    • Where we–and our children–can turn for reassurance
    • The foundation we are building our lives on is unshakable  

    Security rests on what's within us, not on what's around us.

    Oh, come on, that's too simplistic

    If you doubt that, read a few biographies of individuals who overcame big odds. 

    I met one of those over-comers when he spoke at a business meeting. At the time he was "just" a surgeon known for separating conjoined twins. Since then he retired and now Dr. Ben Carson has been appointed secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

    That's quite a long journey from growing up in a single-parent family, living in a public housing project for years and playing with rocks found along the railroad tracks as he walked to school.

    What brought him through all that? He credits what he learned from his mom, who always left home before he got up and often came home after dark because she worked two jobs.

    (You can read their story here:)  http://awomansview.typepad.com/a_womans_view/2017/03/take-heart-mom-you-are-your-childs-biggest-advantage-in-life.html

    Shoring up our inner defenses

    It starts with taking charge of what we feed our minds and therefore, what we give out to our families.

    If healthy food builds healthy bodies–and it does–then focusing on Jesus and His love for us, His strength within us, will build strength within us and our children. 

    In time of crisis what's inside us is what inevitably will come out of us. 

    If we feed ourselves–and our loved ones–fear, it will be fear.

    If we feed ourselves–and our loved ones–talk of God's strength within us, what comes out of us will be courage and peace.

    Put the good stuff in 

    We're never too old or too young to grow in faith. Even small children easily learn "Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so," especially if we sing it with them.

    Talking to Jesus is natural for young children and they love knowing they can pray in any scary situation, "Jesus, help me!"

    Kids equipped with these plain truths from early on know that someone loves them, no matter what. They know they're not alone.

    Does that make trouble and danger go away? Maybe not. But it does reassure youngsters (and adults, too,) that they're not alone and forsaken.

    When life bumps us around we draw on our reserves

    If we're to have a store of courage and strength to draw on we need to regularly deposit Truth into our memory banks. Truths from God's written word, the Bible, like these favorite verses.

    • God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  –Psalm 46:1
    • Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.  –Isaiah 41:10
    • Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.  –Joshua 1:9

    These three are just for starters. You'll find many more as you read your Bible. Underline the verses that speak to your heart. Memorize them or list them on your SmartPhone. Find your way to be able to find them quickly.

    The bottom line: How shall we live without fear?

    As usual, we get to choose. We can watch the news and look around and live in fear.

    OR we can live by faith in the Lord of heaven and earth and we can teach our children the truths of Scripture.

    Like taking the right turn at a crossroads, that makes all the difference.

    So let's speak faith, not fear. Let's live with courage, trusting God all the way,

    Lenore

     

    How can we–and our children–live without fear in a world of horror headlines?