Fear: a powerful tool

I’ll admit, I have lots of fears. Some rational. Some totally unrational. Growing up, I was always very intuitive. My parents had to tell me at age 4 that Santa and the Easter Bunny didn’t exists, because I was convinced that if Santa and the Easter Bunny could get through the chimney and into my bedroom, then so could a burglar. Not to mention that waking up to a huge, hairy rabbit staring at you is pretty freaky for a four year old...or a twenty four year old. Anyway, back to my point…fear is very powerful. Fear causes us to move into action, but amazingly, fear also makes us inactive. For example, if I see a bug or spider, I can promise you I will be on top of a table or chair…see that fear literally and physically moved me into action. But on the other end of the spectrum, if I were to see someone hurt or in trouble, I tend to freeze up and panic. I become completely inactive.

What the heck am I talking about? Stay with me here. I do have a point.

Lately, I seem to be reading nothing but disappointing news and headlines regarding the moral decay of our nation. For instance, just these past few weeks, I have seen the following articles.

PHILADELPHIA- A kindergartner's mother cannot read Scripture during show and tell, even if the Bible is the boy's favorite book, a U.S. appeals court said Monday in the latest challenge over religion in public schools.

WASHINGTON - The Pentagon said Monday it no longer includes a Bible quote on the cover page of daily intelligence briefings it sends to the White House as was practice during the Bush administration.

SEATTLE-The court refused to hear an appeal from the high school students who wanted to form the Truth Bible Club at Kentridge High School. The Associated Student Body council refused to let the group be chartered as a school club. It cited the group's name and the fact that students would have to pledge to Jesus Christ to vote in the club, and it argued that allowing the club would bring religion into the school.


Our nation is fast eradicating every ounce of religious content from our schools, government, and entertainment. Our country is drifting further and further away from moral values.

Where are the Godly people? Where are the people who stand up for what is right and moral? I believe we are scared. I believe fear has made us inactive. We are afraid to offend people, afraid to be different, afraid to take a stand. We have become inactive and ineffective. Instead of voicing our concerns or demanding change, we allow fear to immobilize us.

So what can we do? I know I am not ready to storm Washington or start a revival, but I can pray. The least I can do is take my fear and become active. I can begin to pray for our nation. For our Leaders. For our families. For our neighbors. For our friends. We need to be actively praying for our country. We so desperately need the touch of God in our lives.

I love the Casting Crowns’ song titled “What if His People Prayed?” The chorus says

What if His people prayed
And those who bear His name
Would humbly seek His face
And turn from their own way

He said that He would hear
His promise has been made
He'll answer loud and clear,
If only we would pray

Fear is a powerful thing. Let’s use it to make us active and effective. So I challenge you, along with myself, to pray for our nation. Not just passively, but passionately.

Now excuse me while I get down off of the table, my soon to be hubby has just killed the spider that was in my kitchen, so it is safe to get down now!