Posts Tagged: feeling what you feel

“Fear? Not!”

On March 16, 2020 by Dteb With 0 Comments - down to earth believer

I think that it is safe to say that we are all at least a little fearful right now.  Yes?

So, what do we do with our fear?  Perhaps a better question is this: What do we refuse to let fear do with us?

I suspect that there are several things that fear wants to do to/with us.

One thing that fear wants to do to/with us is to make us panicky.  Fear can be a good thing.  It alerts us to danger, and helps us to take prudent measures that protect ourselves and those we love.

Panic, however, is not a positive thing at all.  Panic always makes a bad situation worse.  Always remember the eleventh commandment: Thou shalt not panic!

Another thing that fear wants us to do is to collapse on ourselves, to become completely self-absorbed.  Many of us (especially those who write blogs) are already self-absorbed enough. 

So, what can and should we do with our fear?

First, we can feel afraid.  Feelings of all kinds are made to be felt.  Don’t deny your fears.  If you’re not afraid right now, you’re not paying sufficient attention.

Say your prayers.  You don’t believe in God?  Well, say your prayers anyway, even if you have to start them out with “To whom it may or may not concern.”  When I pray, I feel calmer.  In fact, one of my most consistent prayers right now is a calm-my-spirit prayer that I learned years ago, when a church I pastored was going through a 50-Day Spiritual Adventure.  Here is the prayer: Calm my spirit, Lord.  That’s it.  That’s the whole prayer.

Second, do the things that normally work for you, even if you don’t think that you can, even if you don’t think that doing those things will work.  I am continued to do 12-step readings, to make gratitude lists, to do (at least sporadic) blog posts.

And, since panicky fear wants you to be self-absorbed, do something that you really don’t want to do for someone else.  Check on other people.  Call.  Email.  Text.  Yes, by all means, wear a mask and gloves.  But minister to the needs of others.  The coronavirus is a serious threat, but cowardly selfishness will damage us even more.

Fear?

Not!

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