FEARS

I had a lot of fears. I am sure I am not the only person who experience fear. Here are the most common fears I observed in many people I encountered while sharing our fears in fellowships and conferences: fear of the dark, fear of heights, fear of water, fear of driving, fear of losing our love ones, fear of death, and fear of failing our parents in their dreams for us. But why do we fear death when we didn't even care about life? Why do we fear darkness when we have no idea about light? Why do we stop the chance to drive a car when we didn't even mind to dream buying a car? And most of all, why do we fear our parents or love ones when we do not even care or love them?

We need to start reckoning the causes of our fears before we are able to conquer our distress or fright. On my part, my fear of the dark started when I was a child. I am always thinking of ghosts because my playmates tell me about the dead who visits their family after the 40 days. Then I also see creatures of the earth like "dwende" and "maligno" when I was 8 years old. My fear of water or hydrophobia started when I was in college. I almost drown in swimming pool because I wanted to pass my swimming class during our final exam. My fear of heights or acrophobia was due to my first accident falling from a tree and my right hand was hanged in a barb wire. My driving phobia started when I witnessed a crash vehicle causing death of many high school students in a school where I studied, and these are alarming conditions of pain, sorrow, grief, and apprehension which I couldn't bear of when they come. wedding dress with pockets

For more than 30 years of being empowered single mom, I learned to be independent and raised my family on my own. But it didn't change my position to conquer all my fears until I decided to be away from my hometown and be courageous enough to face my fears. I turned to be more positive all the time because I have no one to lean on except God whom I can't see but feel. He gave me strengths and heal all my wounds. The Bible teaches us to be brave and face our fears. Here are some of the bases of overcoming our fears:

1. Know that God is with you.(Isaiah 41:10). It says " Fear not, for I am with thee, be not dismayed, for I am thy God, I will uphold thee with the right hand of righteousness". In times of our disbelief due to our unpleasant emotions of pain or threat, just remember this verse in your prayer and it will cure all your burdens.

2. Pray and seek God (Psalm 34:4). "I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears". When there are abnormal feeling we encounter like when we think that our love ones face difficulties away from home, just pray and seek God.

3. Trust the Lord.(Psalm 118:6-7)." The Lord is only side: I will not fear what can man do unto me? The Lord taketh my part with them that help me; therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me". This verse tells us that it is best for us to trust in Him than to put confidence in man.

4. Believe in God (Luke 8:50)."But when Jesus heard it, he answered him saying, Fear not: Believe only, and she shall be made whole". We become near to perfection in believing God.

As we reflect, we have to ask ourselves "Could I have done something which I succeed due to knowing, believing, and trusting God as my savior thru Jesus Christ who showed me courage in facing my fears? If No, then pray to seek God; if Yes, then pray to thank God. Amen.