How Do You Handle Fear?

Just last month, we once again heard of another devastation at a high school in our nation. It’s not that no one doesn’t prepare for disasters such as these. Teachers and students have regular drills to plan for emergencies. But when it comes time to use the training, there is still a moment of shattered nerves and expected panic before the brain adjusts to what needs to be done.

One student said that his teacher had the entire class leave their belongings, get up from the floor, and follow her out the exit leading outside. This teacher ignored her own feelings of fear and found the courage to protect her students. This is bravery in action!

Waiting parents also tend to be stricken with terror not knowing the final outcome in an emergency involving their children. No one says we should never fear anything, because of course, that is a natural human condition that touches us all. It would be worrisome if it didn’t.

Handling Our Fears

In our single-again situations, we can easily reach a level of panic when dealing with all the changes necessary to move on with our lives. Where will we live? Who will get custody of the kids? Will there be enough money to survive on one income? How do I explain this to friends and family? And on and on.

What we want to strive for, rather than fear, is to have courage in the face of all the turmoil. That is the key to surviving danger and difficulties with confidence. We already know deep down inside what we need to do. We put one foot in front of the other and don’t look back. Easy? Who said it was easy?

Easy is when someone else does it for us. Easy is depending on others’ generosity without lifting a hand to help them or ourselves. Easy is to acquire without extending gratitude. God never meant for us to take without giving.

Nothing in the world is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain, difficulty… I have never in my life envied a human being who led an easy life. I have envied a great many people who led difficult lives and led them well. (Theodore Roosevelt)

There is one more important aspect about courage. It is not simply a manly trait as some tend to think. That is an ancient notion and is shattered by the likes of Amelia Mary Earhart (first female to fly solo across the Atlantic) and Mae Jemison (first African-American woman in space). As well as all those unnamed brave teachers who protect their students in the face of danger.

Brave Hearts and Minds

God empowered many women of the Bible to live with confidence and courage--Esther and Deborah for instance. They came to know His truth, sufficiency, and strength by being brave enough to place one foot in front of the other the same way we all can.   

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline" 2 Timothy 1:7 NLT.