“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”
When FDR said this in his first inaugural address America was in the
grip of the great depression and great clouds of dust howled over the
central plains displacing millions. What FDR knew is that fear is
paralyzing. Whether you agree with the political course FDR set this
country on is immaterial, the critical point is that as a leader he
understood the power of fear. Living on the Spiritual Basis we confront
fear where it lives, in our consciousness. Fear brings darkness to our
thoughts, an actual feeling of constriction in the chest, as if life is
being squeezed from us, the sense of impending doom attempting to
overpower. Fear is a liar. To be crystal clear: everyone dies of
something; the flesh we inhabit will one day fail. Money comes and money
goes. Jobs end and begin. We may fall out of love or someone we love
may fall out of love with us. Accidents happen. The choice is ours
as to how we handle the inevitable lows in life. Do we cower in fear,
paralyzed in inaction or step out in faith, demonstrating reliance on a
power greater than ourselves?
Freedom
comes when we turn in all things to Him who has all knowledge and
power, who brings the light banishing the darkness of fear, providing
the keys to the kingdom, replacing the dread surrounding our heart with
the surety of salvation, enabling us to meet perceived calamity with
poise and serenity, putting the truth to fears lie. How is this
accomplished? By choosing consistent prayer, meditation and service work
in the face of the stultifying fear. Our greatest gift is free will;
out of free will we choose to create. Whether it is a new recipe,
scientific theorem, musical composition, play or novel, we make the
choice to create, each day we choosing which path we walk, darkness or
light, bondage in self or salvation. The choice is always ours.
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