The Anatomy of Fear

Faith & Inspiration

By Charles Towne

I wonder... could it possibly be... when it comes to the subject of fear, could it possibly be based more on a question of what might be rather than what actually is?

Or, to put it another way, when we find ourselves immobilized by fear, might we find that the thing that is so terrifying is the idea rather than the reality?

Stop and think about it: we fear the possibility of the unlikely.

When closely examined, the entertainment factor of little kids - namely younger siblings - is on a very high level of what could happen; the possibility. The following example will illustrate.

Judith Elaine, my baby sister, became very adept at climbing trees at at the age of four or five. We would be near some trees, and I would take it upon myself to teach her the fear factor that accompanies the possibility of being eaten by a bear. All I had to do was pretend that I was frightened and shout, “Judy! Quick! There is a bear coming and he is hungry for a little girl! Hurry, climb that tree!”

And would you believe it, almost magically she would fly to the top of the indicated tree! Afterward the expression of fear frozen on her cute little face was especially entertaining.

What does this tale of woe have to do with the fear factor? you might ask, so I will tell you.

There hadn’t been any bears in Illinois for well over a hundred years, so it wasn’t so much

bears that she was afraid of, but the IDEA of bears. The chance of being eaten by non-existent bears is about as equal to the likelihood of being struck by a meteor, or having a herd of saber-toothed tiger fish trample you while your sleeping in your bed tonight; not very likely, but I suppose it could happen...?

Psalms 91:5-7 tells us, (paraphrased):

Do not be afraid of the terror by night,

Nor the unknown virus that flies like an arrow in the darkness.

Nor non-existent bears,

Nor the unimaginable threat.

A thousand may fall at your side,

And an unimaginable number might perish beside you,

But what you fear will not do you any harm.

When we trust Him, there need not be fear!

Dear Papa God, we don’t want to live in fear, and as we search your word we know and

believe that you are a God of love and liberation and never fear. So lead us, your children, to trust you. You say, “Fear not, for I am with you and I will never leave you…” You also tell us that you will “cast out ALL fear!” I am convinced that you are a God of great love and joy, and you never lie; but how can we have what you promise if our lives are debilitated by that very thing you want to remove from our lives? We trust you Papa God, and we love you because you have proven your faithfulness in all things! Walk with us today, and teach us. In Jesus’ Holy and wonderful name, Amen

Charles Towne is first and foremost a Christian. An octogenarian, author, journalist, wildlife photographer, naturalist, caregiver, and survivor, his life has been and continues to be, a never-ending adventure filled with possibilities never imagined. He has adopted the philosophy that to Live fully, laugh uproariously, love passionately, and learn like there is no tomorrow, is a formula for a long and joy-filled life.