"In The Diary of Anne Frank young Anne describes the fear she and her family felt as they hid, huddled in a small attic, from the Nazis. Every scream of Gestapo sirens sent chills of fear down their spines. They lost their breath at every knock on the front door. They lived in constant horror behind locked doors, fearing for their lives. Their fear was well founded.

Fear caused the disciples to huddle together in that room for protection. Surely they had heard the news by now—the news about the tomb being empty. Yet even the news of the empty tomb and Jesus' resurrection had not transformed their spirits. The room became a prison—fear kept them inside. Fear drove them to lock themselves up to protect their lives."

—Craig A. Loscalzo, Apologetic Preaching p. 45, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Dr. Tom Martin

For more information on Apologetic Preaching, go to http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0830815759/fm082-20

Fast food restaurants in Asian centers are experiencing a drop in business. The lines at the popular cites have vanished and the crowds are much thinner these days. The main reason for the lack of interest is fear of contracting the deadly SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) virus.

Though Western fast food has been growing in popularity in Asian markets like China, people have been avoiding crowded places lately to minimize their exposure to SARS. China’s recent admission that the SARS crisis is worse than first believed, is likely to create a bigger problem for business.

Hong Kong Housewife Mandy Hui says, “Why should I take the risk? I just try not to eat out at all.” In Singapore, a McDonald’s assistant manger says the store is practically empty. He adds, “People are afraid to come out. Of course we are worried.” Other investors admit they note a lot of uncertainty and fear in the market right now, and don’t know what the long-term impact will be.

A few people say they are not worried. Between bites of his sandwich, 42 year-old Xu Jiasong from Shanghai reasoned, “You can’t live your life in constant fear—otherwise you won’t get out of bed in the morning.”

—Reuters Limited, SARS threatens to take a bite out of fast food chains in Asia, by Tan Han Nee and Deborah Cohen, April 23, 2003. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may find grace to help us in our time of need.”

In Boca Raton Florida, Jerry Stevens, a pilot, decided to greet the New Year by writing, "God is Great" and similar messages in the sky above the city. When they saw the skywriting; many residents panicked and called police. They believed Steven's airplane might be part of a terrorist plot.

One resident told a local paper, "I was just wondering if a terrorist group was paying for someone to write that." One tourist told the paper she wondered if she should take cover when she saw the writing in the sky.

Stevens says he realizes people are scared. He says, "But the important thing to do is to think about God. I'm just reminding people God loves them." He said some people may be alarmed when they see his message, but others will be uplifted. Stevens says, "You can't imagine what it's like feeling low, wondering if God is listening to your prayers, and then you walk out of your house and up above in big letters right over you, there's 'God Loves You.'"

Often, we allow fear and past experience to control our response to the circumstances we face. This section of Florida is where 9 of the Sept. 11 terrorists lived and trained. The first building to be attacked by anthrax is also in the area. Based on their fears, many people interpreted a message of hope as a sign of disaster. Every day, God sends us messages. He may appear frightening at times, but God's message is filled with love, hope, and peace for all. God did not send His Son to the world to terrorize; Jesus came to lift up the fearful and brokenhearted.

1 John 4:18 NIV "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love."

—Tampa Bay Online, http://ap.tbo/ap/florida, January 2, 2002, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Most people think of childhood as a time with less responsibility, less worry, and less fear. Unfortunately, that may be changing. Mental Health Professionals who work with young people say they are seeing signs that children are becoming more and more fearful. Dr. Karen Pierce, a child psychiatrist at Chicago’s Memorial Hospital says, “These kids are often what we call thermometers, sort of the pulse of what’s going on.” Therefore when the numbers of children being treated for anxiety goes up, it is a sign that more Americans are facing underlying fears as well.

People are worried about war and terrorist attacks, on top of the usual concerns such as, paying bills and providing for their families. Other organizations have also noticed an increase in anxiety. The nonprofit organization for youth called Seeking Harmony in Neighborhoods, or ShiNE, has noticed an increase in fear, confusion, and worry. A teen from New York posted this message on the ShiNE website, “Think of a chemical cloud above my school!!! Bomb threats? Think of it. Are we prepared for war? Are we?”

Even college campuses report an increase in anxiety with the numbers of students treated for anxiety disorders up as much as 7 percent since 1996.

Pierce says, “ We need to create a sense of trust in their own mini-environment. How do you come up with words in simple ways to say, We’re safe?”

—Associated Press, Experts: Youth Exposing Nation’s Anxiety, by Martha Irvine, March 17, 2003, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

John 14:27 NIV “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.”

Though Mark Ruiz represented the United States in the 2000 Olympic Games, he will not be returning in 2004. Ruiz missed an opportunity to make the Olympic squad because he was not able to jump from the next to the last ledge of the 33-foot-high tower.

In practice earlier in the season, Ruiz hurt himself in a painful crash from the 10-meter platform. In the recent U.S. trials, Ruiz climbed to the ledge, but could not go any further because he was overwhelmed by a fear of heights due to the earlier crash. Ruiz decided to skip the dive, which cost him the opportunity to make the U.S. squad for the upcoming summer Olympic Games in Greece.

—Associated Press, May 14, 2004. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

I’m sympathetic with Ruiz, because I know there have been times my fears have kept me from doing all I’m capable of doing. There are times when fear is a factor with me; perhaps the same is true of you. I’m so grateful that fear doesn’t have to paralyze the believer, because God helps us overcome our fears that would keep us from realizing our spiritual potential.

1 John 4:18 (NIV) “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”

Thursday, April 18, 2002 was a cloudless spring afternoon in Milan, Italy. Government workers at the Pirelli Office Tower were just leaving for the day when a single private aircraft crashed into the 30-story building. At least five people, including the pilot, were killed and another 60 were injured. As the news spread around the world, a collective gasp went up. Everyone wondered if this was a terrorist attack or an accident.

A man who was tending bar at a nearby restaurant said, "At the beginning I certainly thought of the September attacks in the United States. It really looked like the same thing." World Financial markets did not wait to react. Markets from New York to London and Tokyo plummeted when they heard the news. The markets quickly recovered when investigators determined that the incident was an accident.

The first scenes of the damaged Italian skyscraper brought back reminders of the tragedy of September 11th. The response of people around the world show how much life has changed since 9-11. Our collective feelings of confidence and safety will never be the same.

—Associated Press, April 19, 2002, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Psalm 18:2-3 "The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my rock in who I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies."

Years ago, the King and Psalmist of Israel, David wrote these words of comfort for those who fear. He reminded us the Lord is a source of hope and security in any circumstance.

In the book, An Invitation to Healing, author Lynda Elliott tells Emma's story. Emma had a physical condition that limited her in many ways. She recruited her daughter to take her to the grocery store every week. Her pastor stopped by every Thursday to pray with her, and a neighbor mowed Emma's yard each Wednesday.

Emma began to notice that everyone asked about her condition. Every conversation began to revolve around the illness. Emma wondered what she would talk about if she ever got better. Suddenly, she realized that no one would come if she actually recovered. She did not really want to be healed because she liked the attention the illness provided.

The Lord showed Emma that she was placing her trust in her disease and not in Him. She focused on her "attention getting" system, and had lost sight of the needs of those around her.

Lynda Elliott writes, When we think of ourselves according to our weaknesses or misfortunes, we limit our own perspective of ourselves. We mentally enforce limits on our opportunities. And we train others to see us the same way."

In the gospel of Mark, chapter two, Jesus healed a paraplegic man. When Jesus told him to rise, take his pallet and walk, the man's label changed. When his friends brought him to Jesus, he was a paralytic. When Jesus forgave and healed the man, he began a new life.

—An Invitation to Healing, Lynda Elliott, Chosen Books, 2001. pg 33-34. Bible passage Matthew 2:1-14, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

For more information on An Invitation to Healing, go to http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0800792866/fm082-20

In their book, "The Insider", Peterson & Shamy write "Fear is contagious, and if you catch it, it will make your life a wasteland."

Proverbs 28:1 (NASB) "The wicked flee when no one is pursuing, But the righteous are bold as a lion."

In his book, "Next Generation Leader", Andy Stanley writes, "Failure is a part of success. Veteran leaders view failure as simply a necessary chapter in their story: lessons learned, lessons that are essential to future success. Leaders know that failure looks and feels completely different in the rearview mirror than it does when it is staring at us through the windshield. Ask a successful leader how he overcame his fear of failure, and chances are he won't give you a good answer. Why? Because he has never thought about it. So to the common man, leaders appear to be fearless. The truth is that leaders simply don't fear what other men fear."

Deuteronomy 31:23 (HCSB) "The Lord commissioned Joshua son of Nun, 'Be strong and courageous, for you will bring the Israelites into the land I swore to them, and I will be with you.'"

Australian authorities are investigating the unusual death of a six and a half-foot saltwater crocodile that apparently jumped out of a roadside culvert and into the side of a passing car at a park in northern Australia. During the rainy season in northern Australia, it is not uncommon for crocodiles to be more active seeking food or a place to sun themselves. They will often encounter cars during the wet months, but authorities say this particular case is unusual.

Crocodile management officer at Kakadu National Park, Gary Linder, says this reptile was able to leap with "all four feet off the ground" because it was young and agile. Linder said the animal was probably startled and "just leaped in the wrong direction once it heard the vehicle coming." He added, "The driver barely had time to respond and the (crocodile) became a road fatality."

—Associated Press, Leaping Crocodile Slams Into Car, February 2, 2006. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Isaiah 41:10 (MSG) "Don't panic. I'm with you. There's no need to fear for I'm your God. I'll give you strength. I'll help you. I'll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you."

What are we afraid of today? One author who spent his career writing novels that scare people warns against taking the scares too literally. The late Michael Crichton, who wrote “The Andromeda Strain,” and “Jurassic Park,” warned us to “Stop Scaring Ourselves.”

Crichton gave a list of the proclaimed dangers that never materialized. He reminded us of a 1972 warning about climate change. “We simply cannot afford to gamble. We cannot risk inaction. Those scientists who [disagree] are acting irresponsibly. The indications that our climate can soon change for the worse are too strong to be reasonably ignored.” The author of the statement was not speaking of global warming, but global cooling.

Scientists predicted, “The resulting famines could be catastrophic.” Now it is global warming that is threatening our planet. In the 60’s we were worrying about a population explosion. In 1973, the warning stated that by 1993 the word would have exhausted the supply of “gold, mercury, tin, zinc, oil, copper, lead and natural gas.” Later computers were going to be the downfall of civilization with the Y2K problem.

--Parade Magazine, December 5, 2004. P.6. Illustration by Jim Wilson and Rodger Russell

1 John 4:18 (NASB95) There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.

In his book, A Bold Fresh Piece of Humanity, Bill O'Reilly writes, “The big reason that many folks accept the unacceptable and settle for less than they can achieve can be summed up in one word: fear.”

A Bold Fresh Piece of Humanity, Kindle Loc. 580-81 Illustration by Jim L. Wilson

Proverbs 28:1 (MSG) “The wicked are edgy with guilt, ready to run off even when no one's after them; Honest people are relaxed and confident, bold as lions.”

If you are afraid of flying, a new iPhone application might help. Virgin Atlantic Airways has launched the application for its Flying Without Fear course and claims a 98 percent success rate. The airline says the app helps passengers overcome fear of unfamiliar aircraft, the strange noises a plane makes, and fear of losing control. Virgin Atlantic developed the program in cooperation with Mental Workout, a company that designs software to help people resolve issues and increase mental performance. Mental Workout’s research discovered that one in three adults have a fear of flying.

The Flying without Fear application includes an introduction by airline president Richard Branson; a video based in-flight explanation of a flight, frequently asked questions, and even a fear attack button for emergencies. The app also teaches breathing exercises to help people maintain control. Branson says the iPhone app will take the course to millions around the world who use mobile technology to make life better. He added, “The app will put many travelers at ease and enable them to prepare for their first Virgin Atlantic flight.”

--Scared of flying? Press the fear iButton, http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20091103/od_nm/us_flying; November 3, 2009, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Luke 12:7 (CEV) “Even the hairs on your head are counted. So don't be afraid! You are worth much more than many sparrows.”

A Utah man who failed in an attempt to be arrested, eventually got his wish fulfilled. Authorities say a 54-year-old man tried to turn himself in at a jail, but an officer told the man he had no reason to arrest him. At that point, the man reached for the officer’s gun saying, “Maybe I’ll try suicide by cop.”

Police say the man did not get the gun, and apparently changed his mind about going to jail, because he began to resist the officer. Eventually, the man who was described as being belligerent and intoxicated was subdued, and his wish for jail time granted. Sources say, the transient man who may have just been seeking shelter got more than he bargained for because he now faces several changes, including felony charges of disarming a peace officer.
Utah man determined to get arrested, gets his wish,

--http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100304/ap_on_fe_st/us_odd_bent_on_arrest; March 4, 2010. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Proverbs 10:24 (NLT) “The fears of the wicked will be fulfilled; the hopes of the godly will be granted.”

In his book, Leadership and Conflict, Speed Leas writes, “With regard to fear, it is important to remember that as a person’s perception of powerlessness increases, the likelihood of who perceive themselves to be powerless to affect by other means what is happening are most likely to strike out against others in destructive ways.”

Job 15:24 (ESV) “distress and anguish terrify him; they prevail against him, like a king ready for battle.”

As police in Michigan were investigating two shootings in a neighborhood, they discovered representatives of a local church had already planned to be in the area, talking with people, praying, and handing out literature. First Baptist Church in Bridgeport Michigan had picked that area in an effort to reach out to one of the city’s more crime-ridden neighborhoods, and invite youngsters there to come to church.

When asked if they feared being out in such a dangerous area, two volunteers said no. Joyce Kisser told reporters, “I’m not a bit scared.” She added the church had a program to help people suffering from addictions such as drugs or alcohol. Her friend Deanna Winners said, ”I prayed before I came here that God would watch over us. It’s going to help somebody.”Hearing this Kisser added, “If it changes one person, it’s worth it.”

--http://fwix.com/saginaw/share/fcef15c43f/shooting_doesnt_stop_church_volunteers, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Romans 1:16 (CEV) I am proud of the good news! It is God's powerful way of saving all people who have faith, whether they are Jews or Gentiles.

A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggests humans have good reasons to fear snakes, and ophidiophobia may rise from the experiences of our ancestors. In the research, scientists document the way frequent python attacks affected a tribe of preliterate, hunter-gathers from the Philippines. The study is one of the first to examine the danger snakes pose to humans. To this tribe, the Agta Negritos of Luzon Island, the fear and dangers are very real.

Anthropologist Thomas Headland, lead author of the paper, lived with the tribe his entire adult life. He interviewed 58 men and 62 women regarding their experiences with pythons. Fifteen of the men and one woman had lived to tell of attacks, and many bore the scars from those encounters. The tribe recalled six fatal attacks between 1934 and 1973, which amounted to an average of one “traumatic python incident” every two to three years.

Headland noted that the average male from the tribe has just over half the mass of a large female python. Since the snakes normally eat pigs weighing up to 130 pounds, humans are not a challenge. The research noted that though the Agta also hunt and kill pythons for food, the findings support a theory pointing to a genetic phobia of snakes in humans. Headland wrote, “When a car comes at me on the highway, it scares me; I get out of the way fast. When we see snakes, the hair of the back of our neck goes straight up. It’s more than being scared of a car. It’s a tremendous fear.” He says that fear is “human universal.”

--Snakes Make Your Skin Crawl? Study suggests why; http://healthlibrary.epnet.com/GetContent.aspx?token=72107b4b-5547-43d1-8b3d-bbf80b1b6be8&chunkiid=665285; December 12, 2011. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Genesis 3:1-5 (CEV) The snake was sneakier than any of the other wild animals that the LORD God had made. One day it came to the woman and asked, "Did God tell you not to eat fruit from any tree in the garden?" (2) The woman answered, "God said we could eat fruit from any tree in the garden, (3) except the one in the middle. He told us not to eat fruit from that tree or even to touch it. If we do, we will die." (4) "No, you won't!" the snake replied. (5) "God understands what will happen on the day you eat fruit from that tree. You will see what you have done, and you will know the difference between right and wrong, just as God does."

New research suggests your fears can actually make a problem look bigger. A study done on those with a fear of spiders found that those with sever arachnophobia thought the spiders were larger than those with less sever forms of the disorder. Researchers say they were puzzled as to why so many people who suffer from fear of spiders describe the creatures as being so large, when in reality the eight-legged crawlers are quite small.

In the article, the authors say a better understanding of how a phobia influences the perception of that object; will help doctors devise better treatments for their patients. Psychologist Michael Vasey of Ohio State University summarized the findings saying, “If one is afraid of spiders, and by virtue of being afraid of spiders one tends to perceive spiders as bigger than they really are, that may feed the fear, foster that fear and make it difficult to overcome.”

--Fear of spiders makes you believe creepy crawlies are bigger, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/9101343/Fear-of-spiders-makes you-believe-creepy-crawlies-are-bigger.html; February, 2012, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

2 Timothy 1:7 (HCSB) For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.

Jong Sim Rim won the 3rd weightlifting gold medal for North Korea and, like all North Korean athletes, she credited her success to the great leadership of the North Korean Supreme Leader Kim, Jong Un. However, few people from the western world take this seriously. So what was the real reason for the success of these athletes from such a poor country? According to certain defected North Korean players, the real reason lies in the reward and punishment system of the country. Winning athletes would get a lot of food and resources for themselves and the families, but the country would punish losing athletes by sending them to the labor camp for tough, labor work. Since the stake is so high for losing in the Olympics, these North Korean athletes work much harder than most of their competitors. Even though fear can be a powerful motivating force, who would want to live in fear? --Jim L. Wilson and Shanon Lee

Karl Ritter, “Rim wins North Korea's 3rd weightlifting gold,” The Associated Press, August 1, 2012, http://sports.yahoo.com/news/rim-wins-north-koreas-3rd-160327462--oly.html (accessed February 24, 2013)

Clare Richardson, “North Korea Olympic athletes face reward or punishment at home,” Huffington Post, August 3, 2012, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/03/north-korea-olympics-team_n_1737181.html (accessed February 24, 2013)

Psalm 27:1 (ESV) 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?

What is worse than a snake in the grass? One woman in Bowie County, Texas who is deathly afraid of snakes found out one recent spring afternoon. Seeing a snake in the grass outside her house she grabbed a gas can and doused it with gasoline. After setting the snake on fire, however, things went from bad to worse. A burning snake in the grass is worse.

The snake, burning brightly, slithered into a brush pile. The pile caught fire and by the time the fire department arrived her house has burned to the ground.

Believers need to learn to be afraid of the right things, and other times to trust the Lord.--Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

Proverbs 29:25 (ESV) The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe.

Some recent polls show that Americans are afraid of just about everything. 66% are concerned about global warming. 35% fear the use of unmanned aerial drones domestically. 59% worry about identity theft. 65% are afraid of another 9/11 type attack. And if those are not enough, 12% of Americans were actually afraid the world would end on Dec 21, 2012 because of the Mayan prophecies. What are you afraid of?

We may want to live cautiously, but we should live without fear. When our trust is in the Lord Jesus and the providence of God, we can be certain our future is in His hands. --Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

1 John 4:18 (CEV) A real love for others will chase those worries away. The thought of being punished is what makes us afraid. It shows that we have not really learned to love.

After recent revelations about the collection of electronic records regarding American citizens, Russia, which played a role in the revelations, has announced that they will go back to keeping paper records. Russia’s Federal Guard Service has decided to revert to using more typewriters and paper documents. To fulfill their promise, the agency that protects Russia’s top officials immediately ordered 20 Triumph Adler typewriters. They say they will use typewriters because each machine creates its own unique “signature” that can be traced to the source. The agency also admitted the move will not be that difficult because also many critical groups never completely changed over to computers anyway. Nikolai Kovalev, former head of the Federal Security Service said, “From the point of view of ensuring security, any form of electronic communication is vulnerable. Any information can be taken from computers. So from the point of view of keeping secrets, the most primitive method is preferred: a human hand with a pen or a typewriter.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

SPOOKED BY NSA, RUSSIA REVERTS TO PAPER DOCUMENTS, BY DOUG STANGLIN, HTTP://WWW.USATODAY.COM/STORY/NEWS/WORLD/2013/07/11/RUSSIA-SPIES-NSA-TYPEWRITERS-DOCUMENTS-COMPUTERS/2508751, ACCESSED JULY 11, 2013.

Matthew 10:26 (CEV) (26) Don't be afraid of anyone! Everything that is hidden will be found out, and every secret will be known.

A man afraid of spiders spotted one in his Seattle laundry room. In order to get rid of it he grabbed a lighter and a can of spray paint. There is no report about the fate of the spider but the house caught fire causing about $60, 000 dollars worth of damage. That is a lot to get rid of one spider.

Fear does that in a lot of ways. We have an irrational fear that keeps us from effectively serving the Lord. “Fear not,” God says, “I am with you.” --Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell.

http://time.com/2991835/man-tries-to-kill-a-spider-and-ends-up-burning-his-house-down/

Isaiah 41:10 (NASB) 'Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'

What are we afraid of? According to an ABC News/Washington Post poll our two greatest fears are a major terrorist attack and someone in our family getting Ebola (71% & 43%). A Gallup poll thinks we are afraid of cybercriminals, 69% worry our credit card information will be stolen while 62% fear they will break into our phone or computer and steal private information. --Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

Interesting the things we worry about this year were not even on the horizon just a few short years ago.

The Bible assures us that we can trust God and not be held hostage by our fears.

Isaiah 41:10 (CEV) Don't be afraid. I am with you. Don't tremble with fear. I am your God. I will make you strong, as I protect you with my arm and give you victories.

“If I hear thunder fairly close by, I am off the water” states Ronnie Garrison, even though he is a competitive fisherman who fishes in all seasons and in all kinds of weather. He has fished when the water was fifteen degrees, dipping his rod to keep ice from forming each time he casts—fishing when it was so dark that he couldn’t see the rod in his hands—to fishing in high winds that would make his boat dip every third wave. He admits to being scared to death of lightning even now that he is past the age of sixty.

It all goes back to his childhood when he camped out with friends on the porch of the house he lived in. Ronnie described his experience as overwhelming, saying, “About midnight there was a ferocious thunderstorm. Lightning flashed every few seconds and thunder shook the house. I was terrified for what seemed like hours, just knowing that I would die.”

Over the years Ronnie has had lots of bad experiences with thunderstorms while fishing. He admonishes those who are not worried about getting struck by lightning with this thought, “If you are brave enough, or dumb enough, fish in the lightning. I will be somewhere protected, waiting out the storm.” --Jim L. Wilson and Daniel Hall

-Kitchen Drawer Illustrated (Community magazine), Volume 7 Issue 4, Thunder and Lightning by Ronnie Garrison, p.55

Our fears can provide a positive caution to our lives but they can also paralyze us and question our trust in God. It is good to remember what the Psalmist proclaimed.

A Detroit man with a fear of spiders caused a fire when he tried to kill a spider with a lighter. The man says he thought he saw a spider near the fuel door of his car while getting gas and tried to remove it. The lighter actually ignited gasoline on the side of the car, the pump, and the pavement. On a surveillance video, the man can be heard asking if that was a spider, and then flames erupted. The man darted to safety, and returned with a fire extinguisher to put out the flames. He was not injured and his car was not damaged severely. However, the pump was destroyed, and the clerk had to shut off the pump inside and call the fire department. The clerk said the man returned and apologized the following day. There was no word on the fate of the spider.—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Motorist sets lighter to spider at gas station, burns pump, Associated Press
http://news.yahoo.com/motorist-sets-lighter-spider-gas-station-burns-pump-224145996.html, Accessed September 26, 2015.

Hebrews 13:6 (HCSB) Therefore, we may boldly say: The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

Cara is a missionary in Central, Eastern, and Southern Africa. She, her husband, and their four children had been attending language school for several months when they decided to visit the country that would soon be their home. Only a few hours after arriving in the country, three men with weapons hijacked their car. The family was terrified. The thoughts of what could happen began to run through their minds. Would they die? Would the hijackers steal their children? Would they drive them to a remote area and leave them for dead? The thoughts were overwhelming.

The petrifying fear eventually turned to prayer. The verse “pray without ceasing” became extremely real to Cara and her family. They pleaded with God to save their lives and a peace rushed over them. They knew that there was a strong possibility that they may die, and if they had to die, they wanted God to be glorified through their death.

After a few hours, the hijackers robbed them, and left them on an abandoned road with a flat tire. They were able to use their spare and drive quickly back home. –Jim L. Wilson and Eric Gibbs

Psalm 27:1 (HCSB) “The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom should I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom should I be afraid?”

Over thirty people were injured and treated for burns after walking on hot coals at a Tony Robbins seminar in Dallas, Texas. Robbins markets himself as a self-help coach that wants to help people “Unleash the Power Within.” Robbins says that the fire walk is to help people conquer their fears and turn their fears into power.

Fire and medical officials responded to the event where they treated some participants on site and had to take some to the hospital.

When asked about the incident, the spokesperson for Tony Robbins declined to comment on the specific event only stating, “The fire walk portion of the event has been celebrated for 35 years” and Robbins website posted that they are happy to have completed another successful fire walk. –Jim L. Wilson and Eric Gibbs

1 John 4:18 (HCSB) “There is no fear in love; instead, perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. So the one who fears has not reached perfection in love.”

A woman died in Queens, New York after an attacker pushed her in front of a subway train in Times Square. The incident left many of those who commute via subway with a sense of panic and uncertainty. The Times Square station is the busiest on the subway system, with 66 million annual riders. It serves ten subway lines and the shuttle to Grand Central Station. More than 200,000 people navigate the tunnels there every day. Many subway commuters will likely choose alternate modes of travel. However, a large majority will likely return to the subway realizing this was a rare occurrence that will not likely occur again. —Jim L. Wilson and Anthony Riley

2 Timothy 1:7 (HCSB) “For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.”

Back in the late 1990s we were bombarded with the news that when the date turned to 1/1/2000 a Computer bug would eat our computers, or at least all of its data. The government set up a program to solve potential computer glitches. Do you remember the hysteria over the Y2K bug?

Sometimes our fears outlast any real danger. Would you believe that that government program is just now being shut down? Our fears cause us to do and accept some strange and sometimes harmful things. Many verses in God’s word remind us that we should put our trust in God, rather than succumb to our fears. —Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell.

Philippians 4:6–7 (CSB) “Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

A 4-year-old Colorado girl was so worried that there were monsters in the home her family had recently moved into that she called the local police for help. Sidney Fahrenbruch was worried that the monsters would come out at night and hurt her family, so she asked Longmont officer David Bonday to help her search. Officer Bonday said he didn’t have a lot of experience searching for monsters, but went to the Fahrenbruch home and searched everywhere. He reported that no monster activity was found. Sindey’s mother, Megan said the officer’s efforts gave her daughter a new confidence. She added, “She wants to grow up and be a cop and help other people find monsters as well.” –By Jim Sandell

Monster check: local Colorado police officer helps 4-year-old inspect new home,

2 Timothy 1:7 (CSB) “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.”

An 81-year-old German man contacted police after he found what he thought was a World War II bomb in his garden. Police rushed to the scene and found a very large zucchini instead. The police officer said, “The object, which really did look very like a bomb” was a 16 inch zucchini and posed no danger to the man or the neighborhood. —JimWilson and Jim Sandell.

A woman in southern China chose to ride through a train station’s luggage x-ray machine rather than part with her bag. Authorities say the woman said she wanted to protect the money in her purse. A security video shows the woman leaving the screening area and emerging from the device. A still x-ray image show a person in high heels kneeling among bags and other items. Authorities said many migrant workers carry their annual earnings home to family during the Lunar New Year holiday which is busiest travel period of the year. A report in a local paper said, “Passengers are warned that not only is this kind of behavior forbidden, but also the radiation from the machine is incredibly harmful to human health.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

There is a sickening tragedy I have seen under the sun: wealth kept by its owner to his harm.

Different pollsters ask people different questions about what they are afraid of. Putting some of the questions together we discover that “42% are afraid of being a victim of a random mass shooting, up from 16% in 2015 (Chapman University), and 57% of teens worry about gunfire erupting at their schools (Pew Research). Washington gives much cause for concern: 74% are fearful of corrupt government officials (Chapman University), and 30% worry President Trump is being framed for crimes by the FBI and Justice Department (Economist/YouGov). 64% fear that another world war will erupt in the next 40 years (YouGov). Like so many other issues the nation can’t agree on, we’re also divided on which is scarier: sharks or President Trump. 43% say sharks, and 42% Trump (Public Policy Polling).”

What are you afraid of? When the Lord spoke to Abram in a vision in Genesis 15:1 he told Abram not to fear. It was the first time God told one of His people not to be afraid. The Bible records another 109 times. Perhaps like Abraham we could worry less about these things and trust God to be our shield and our reward. —Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell.

Genesis 15:1 (CSB)“After these events, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield; your reward will be very great.”

What are you afraid of? In 2017 Alex Honnold faced his fear and became the first and only person to climb Yosemite’s El Capitan without ropes. Many say it is one of the most impressive athletic feats in history. Honnold said “I’m just as afraid of falling to my death as anyone else is.” How does he handle his fear? He spent long hours of preparation. Then, after a long, long process, on the day I did the climb, it didn’t feel scary. —Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell.

One of the ways we prepare for facing fear is developing a relationship with God. The time we spend nurturing that relationship, and depending on God for little things, prepares us for the day we meet the big fears.

Psalm 34:4 (CSB)⁴ I sought the Lord, and he answered me and rescued me from all my fears.

Residents of Jackson Mississippi were at a loss to understand when bowls of mashed potatoes began appearing on their cars, porches, and mailboxes. Jordan Lewis said he found a bowl on his windshield when she went got into her car one morning. It was full of potatoes and rainwater, so she threw it away. Other resident reported finding bowls of mashed potatoes on their porches and mailboxes and the mystery quickly spread. Some residents think the mashed potatoes could be linked to a local private college because many of the people who have found them are connected with the school. Other resident fear a more sinister message and think the potatoes may be poisoned to kill either people or animals. No one knows if anyone has eaten any of the potatoes, and few have contacted local law enforcement.—Jim l. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Psalm 91:5 (CSB)“You will not fear the terror of the night, the arrow that flies by day,”

Fear can drive people to do strange things. As Hurricane Dorian swept past the eastern coast of Florida, one Jacksonville resident took extra measures to protect his car. Jessica Eldridge reported that her husband Patrick decided to park their Smart car in the kitchen of their home. She posted pictures on social media showing the automobile in the middle of their kitchen. She said they put the bigger car in the garage to protect it, but there was no room for the other car. Eldridge said the car was so small, her husband was “afraid his car might blow away.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

There is no fear in love; instead, perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. So the one who fears is not complete in love.

In the book, The God Who Knows Your Name Max Lucado writes, “Feed your fears and your faith will starve. Feed your faith and your fears will.”

John 14:27 (CSB) “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful.”

Irma Cano knows something about facing fear. Nine months before the novel coronavirus outbreak, she was working at the El Paso WalMart store where a gunman killed 23 people.

Commenting on coping with COVID-19 stress, she said, “I don’t live fearful. To me, it’s not a way to approach that. To me, just be cautious, wear your mask, gloves, and do your daily work.” she said.

“I do believe God does protect his children, I have a lot of faith in him,” Cano said. “He protected me from the shooting, and he will protect me from this, and whatever comes, and that is one thing that keeps me going. Of course, I have to be cautious, too.” —Jim L. Wilson

Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

NASA has warned that a small asteroid, 2018VP1, may hit the Earth. Before you get too worked up and start making disaster plans, if it does strike it is less than 7 feet across and will likely burn up in the atmosphere.

Whenever our thoughts turn to fear, we need to remember to trust in the Lord. He has our eternal best interests in mind. —Jim Wilson and Rodger Russell

A wealthy Indonesian man and his wife shared photos from a plane where they were the only passengers because he bought every ticket to protect them from COVID-19. Richard Muljadi, who is known for his extravagant lifestyle, posted the pictures showing himself and his wife traveling to Bali in an empty airplane. Muljadi said he bought as many tickets as he could, including 12 business class seats and 150 economy seats because the couple was “super paranoid” about being exposed to COVID-19. Lion Air, which operated the flight, confirmed Muljadi and his wife were the only passengers on the fight. Muljadi did not reveal how much the solo flight cost, but said it was cheaper than chartering a private plane for the trip.—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2021/01/07/Socialite-says-he-bought-out-entire-flight-to-travel-privately/3851610052474/

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.

In You'll Get Through This: Hope and Help for Your Turbulent Times, Max Lucado writes, “Don’t let the crisis paralyze you. Don’t let the sadness overwhelm you. Don’t let the fear intimidate you. To do nothing is the wrong thing. To do something is the right thing. And to believe is the highest thing. Just . . . KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON.”