FEAR
MAN'S GREATEST FOE - HOW TO OVERCOME FEAR
"So
first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing to fear is
fear itself - nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror."
Franklin D. Roosevelt
A number of recent news
stories highlighted the growing fear by many people, due to the increase
of terrorism, world disasters, war, tsunamis, terrorist attacks,
earthquakes and world viruses and diseases.
FEAR IS A UNIVERSAL
ENEMY
Fear is a universal enemy
and certainly not a new enemy. Fear had its beginning with Adam's rebellion and
fall, in the Garden of Eden. After Adam and Eve had disobeyed God's
directive to them, fear entered their hearts.
"And Adam said, I
heard Thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I am naked; and I
hid myself." (Genesis 3:10)
IN THE LAST DAYS
"MEN'S HEARTS WILL FAIL THEM FOR FEAR"
That the slavish tentacles
of fear are spreading and increasing in intensity is also prophetical. Jesus
declared that in the last days "men's hearts will fail them for
fear..." (Luke 21:26)
THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH IS
HEART DISEASE
The leading cause of death
is heart disease. People are suffering from strain, and stress is
adversely affecting a large number of men and women. Alcohol consumption,
drug abuse and anxiety attacks is increasing, contributing to heart
disease!
CANCER No. 2 LEADING CAUSE
OF DEATH - FEAR IS
CONTRIBUTOR
Cancer is the No. 2 killer
and medical science believes "fear" is a contributor - because
it constricts the vessels carrying blood to affected areas.
Cigarette smoking is a
major cause of heart disease and sickness, but why do people smoke? Often,
because they are uptight, nervous and afraid!
FEAR IS THE
"ENEMY" AMONG US
Fear is "the
enemy" among us and is taking a tremendous toll; psychologically,
economically, domestically and physically! As well as politically, both
nationally and world wide!
Fear destroys
relationships, hinders growth in business, impedes academic progress,
breaks up families and keeps people out of church!
Fear is often the cause of
strife, worry, bitterness, resentment, jealousy and hatred - but fear can
be conquered and driven out of our lives!
Many years ago, USA
President Herbert Hoover stated: "The dominant emotion everywhere in
the world is FEAR. This applies to every part of human activities -
finance, industry, farmers, workers, thinkers and government
officials."
THE ATLANTIC CHARTER - USA
President Roosevelt
The Atlantic
Charter,
drawn up by US President
Theodore Roosevelt and Britain's Sir Winston Churchill is
still heralded as one of history's greatest documents, championing the
common liberties of mankind.
Freedom
from fear
Freedom
of speech
Freedom
from want
Freedom
of religion
It contained four
essential freedoms: Freedom from
Want, Freedom from Fear,
Freedom of
Speech and Freedom of Religion!
New York City's Dr. David
Mitchell declared, humans are born with only two fears; sound of a sudden
noise, and unexpected removal of support or falling!
There are however many
unreal, imagined and unreasonable fears, which plague mankind. These, we
must reject in order to enjoy good mental health and peace of mind!
Neurologists believe that
the lower central part of the brain called the thalamus is the center of
all emotions; this is where fearful thoughts issue from. The nerve center
is also where affection and love are born.
It is therefore important
that we sort out our thoughts and allow only those that are sane,
sensible, wholesome and truthful stay in our minds.
The Bible says: "As
he thinketh in his heart, so is he".
And St. Paul admonished:
"Whatsoever things are true, honest, just, pure, lovely and of good
report...think on these things". (Phil. 4:8)
PHOBIAS
- More than 40 phobias
There are more than 40
phobias that harass humanity today - from ailurophobes (the fear of cats)
to zoophobia (the fear of animals in general). And there is healing for
everyone - through faith in Jesus Christ - and some old-fashioned common
sense!
THERE IS HEALING FOR FEARS,
HEALING FOR PHOBIA THROUGH FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST
The Bible says, "For
God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of love, power and a sound
mind". (2 Tim. 1:7)
President Roosevelt
stated, "The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself", and
the Bible says, "...perfect love casts out all fears". (1 John
4:18)
What is the opposite of
fear? It is faith and faith brings us peace and tranquility!
Jesus said, "Peace I
leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give
to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid".
(John 14:27)
The Bible says,
"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ, through Whom also we have access by faith
into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of
God". (Romans 5:1-2)
Since perfect love removes
all fears, it is good to know that God is love and His love has reached
out to us through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross for us!
And because He arose from
the dead and is not only the testator but the executor of His own will -
through the Holy Spirit - we are assured of His total peace and healing
for spirit, soul (mind) and body!
PHOBIAS
& ANXIETY
HELPFUL LINKS MEDICAL FACTS, MEDICAL INFORMATION & HELP FOR PHOBIAS
& ANXIETY
Find the latest news stories, overviews, research
and more on Phobias from MedlinePlus, the National Library of
Medicine's consumer health site.
www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/
phobias.html
American
Psychiatric Association
Let's Talk Facts About . . . Phobias.
"My heart starts beating so fast . . . it feels like it's going to
explode. My throat closes and I can't breathe. I start to choke. My
hands start sweating. ... Phobias affect people of all ages, from
all walks of life, and in every part of the country ... reported that
5.1%–12.5% of Americans have phobias. They are the most ...
www.psych.org/public_info/
phobias.cfm
NMHA
MHIC Factsheet: Anxiety Disorders - Phobias
... Anxiety Disorders. Phobias. Everyone
feels anxious or uneasy from time to time ... a panic attack or severe
anxiety. Specific phobias strike more than 1 in 10 people ..
www.nmha.org/infoctr/factsheets/
35.cfm
Useful
Information On Phobias And Panic
Internet and CD-ROM Publisher on Health and the
Environment. ... Useful Information On Phobias And Panic. (posted
by Hopkins Technology) ... The Varieties of Fear. Phobias take
many forms. Some people are terrified of dogs, even tiny ...
www.hoptechno.com/book48.htm
