How to fear less when it all feels out of control
Well, that escalated quickly! It is amazing how much our world has changed in recent weeks. We are surrounded by uncertainty. Planning seems impossible. It all feels out of control. How do we ‘fear less’ in the midst of this?
Panic rises easily as we read news feeds, face empty supermarket shelves and try to decide how best to keep our family safe. At least, it does for me. I have a choice- do I give into panic or do I press into peace? I am conscious that my choice impacts on others.
When I give into panic, I become selfish- out to get what I can for myself and ignoring the needs of others. I become irritable and reactive. I am unable to support my daughter in her anxiety over the situation because I am drowning in my own. When I press into peace, I am able to see the needs of others. I can support my daughter and bring that same peace to others around me. I am able to make clear, level headed decisions.
Fearing less does not mean living in denial, ignoring the realities of the world around us either.
“This is a very important lesson. You must never confuse faith that you will prevail in the end– which you can never afford to lose– with the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they might be.” Jim Stockdale (American prisoner of war in Vietnam)
We need both realism and hope.
So how do we equip ourselves to fear less?
Read the rest in this post I wrote for MOPS Australia.
Looking for a way to bring peace and encouragement into your days?
