My family does not like going to scary movies with me. For I am the person who jumps and screams scaring everyone around me.  The good news is my husband will sit next to me.  I remember when HBO first came out on TV and they aired the movie, Jaws.   My sons and I were watching it.  I hadn’t seen the movie yet.  The music was playing; the water skier was going back and forth enjoying life.  Then, suddenly, the shark comes out of the water and grabs the person.  I screamed, I jumped, and in the process, I scratched my son’s leg and drew blood.  I was terrified, my son yelled, “You drew blood!”  That movie terrified me!

           Fear is a strange thing.  It can stop you in your tracks.  It can cause you to faint.  It can cause you to flee the situation. It can cause you to fight.  Fear is a basic, intense, and adaptive emotion triggered by the perception of imminent danger, threat, or harm, whether real or imagined.  It acts as a survival mechanism, activating the body’s fight, flight, or freeze response to protect the self.  It causes rapid heart rate, muscle tension, and adrenaline rushes. Fear is designed to keep individuals safe by alerting them to danger.  Fear occurs throughout our lives.  It is real and it is scary, whether it is in our imagination or not.

           Scripture tells us. “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.” (Psalms 46:1-3 NIV)

           In the scripture it reminds us that God is our refuge and strength and a very present help in times of trouble, making it possible to remain fearless even if the earth is removed or mountains fall into the sea.  This passage is often used to find comfort and peace in chaos, because God is with us, giving us that peace that passes all understanding.

Things to do when fear strikes. Identify the source, try to manage your internal reaction (breath, pray, and try to stay calm), and implement practical solutions.  Praying helps because it draws you closer to God.  For God is our refuge and strength.  Thus, praying, reading the Bible, listening to Christian music helps calm our fearful spirit and of course stay away from scary movies.  God Bless. Amen.

denise