What do you fear?
I watched a child in the mall yesterday as
she was kicking and screaming. Her parents
were trying their best to calm her down.
I also watched the people passing by them.
Some shook their heads and saw the child
as a spoiled, "give me what I want now,"
child. Others paused and offered a few
kind words to both the child and parents.
"You're such a beautiful little girl. Such a
beautiful girl shouldn't cry," one lady said.
"Don't be so sad. We all have bad days,"
added another.
"I think she's a spoiled brat," I heard one
whisper to a friend.
None of them were right. The child was
neither spoiled nor having a bad day.
She was afraid.
The parents told me afterwards that someone
carrying a coat scared her. She's afraid of
dogs. The coat looked like a big dog.
They went on to explain that it is a challenge
for them to go places. Friends have dogs,
neighbors nearby walk their dogs down the
street.
So, you can imagine what it's like to try to
get through a day without sending your
child into a panic.
I can remember, as a child walking up
the steps at night I would get the feeling that
someone or some thing was going to grab
my feet. So, I ran most of the time.
I'll admit that occasionally as an adult I do
the same thing.
Fear. What you fear the most in life, owns you,
controls you, limits you.
I struggle with the fear of heights, but I fight it.
My wife sent me off in a glider on my 60th
birthday. I was fine. I was better than fine, I was
great!
If I could have one foolish child-like wish come
true it would be to have the ability to fly like a bird.
The truth is fear can be debilitating. Fear cripples
many, limits abilities to enjoy even the simplest
things in life and in some cases stops people
from having medical procedures that could
prevent major health issues.
Fear also crushes dreams.
Sometimes our own fears are imposed on others
around us affecting their views and impacting
their ability to live life fully...all in the name of
love, concern and good parenting.
Someone once used the acronym F.E.A.R as
False Evidence Appearing Real.
I'm not sure that applies to all fear. One might
have had a bad experience with a dog and now
that fear is real, relevant in their lives.
But, I think the kind of fear I believe we can deal
with is the fear that reinforces doubt.
In particular poor self image issues either self imposed
or wrongfully fed to you by others in your life or the
world in general.
Fear and doubt are enemies of faith. They are the
enemy that you permit to control your decisions
even when you declare your faith in God.
You give them power over you. The enemy doesn't
want you to be happy, successful, or faithful. The
enemy wants you to fail and stay there. Why?
Because successful, happy, healthy people give
credit for their happiness to God even when they
face their fears they declare their belief in the
God who fears nothing.
"Fear prevents, faith prevails!"
"I wish you enough!"
J
~ Bob Perks ~
Good news - Bob Perks' first book, "I Wish You Enough," Embracing Life's Most Valuable Moments... is now available for ordering. Here's the "Link"
to get your copy of Bob's book: I Wish You Enough from Amazon.com.
[ by: Bob Perks
Copyright © 2011 (2believe@comcast.net) -- {used with permission} ]
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