Fear Only Fear Itself

I admire Max Lucado's ability to use words in a way that turn a thought into mind arresting phrases and his latest book did not disappoint me.

"Fearless" is like the gentle lullaby of a mother soothing her troubled child. It is a book that you will want to keep beside your bed to re-read when Fear knocks on your door. Lucado's advice is "Just don't invite it in for dinner, and for heaven's sake don't offer it a bed for the night."

Lucado describes the pandemic of fear in our society.
"We sophisticate investment plans, create elaboratesecurity systems, and legislate stronger military, yet we depend on mood alteringdrugs more than any other generation in history. Moreover,ordinary children today are more fearful than psychiatric patients werein the 1950s."

All of us struggle with fear at some point in our life. `Fearless' addresses our fears, how they cripple us with their power to destroy. Fear brings with it a perceived loss of control, attacks our character, causes spiritual anmesia, makes safety our god. When we fear we cannot love deeply, we cannot give of ourselves nor dream.

Lucado raises the questions but repeatedly points to the answer.. Jesus.
The storm Jesus stilled wasn't just a little storm, it was a `siesmos' storm. The Greek word `siesmos' used in Matt. 8:24 indicates a HUGE kind of storm. It is interesting to note that Siesmos is the same Greek root chosen to form our word seismograph for measuring earthquakes. Though the storm was terrifying, three words from Jesus "Peace, be still" answered the disciples terror. Only JESUS is a safe place. He never leaves us, He never panics, He repeats over and over "Don't be afraid."

An acrostic gives an eight step solution to combat fear.... Pray first, Easy now, Act on it, Compile a worry list, Evaluate your worry categories, Focus on today, Unleash a worry army, Let God be enough .... follow this plan ...and you will be P E A C E F U L .

Are you worried about the economy? About your investments? About how you will hold onto your stuff?? Lucado shrinks our fears by making us look at the big picture..... "After all, it's just Monopoly money. It all goes back in the box when the game is over."

This book is an easy read but it is a book that puts fear into perspective for the one who is a child of God. Love and Trust dispel fear. We can face whatever comes our way if we just put our hand in His hand and look into His face.
(The included study guide makes the book a good choice for group discussion)