My daughter Michelle is often reminding me with her favorite phrase when I get worried about something: “Live in fear mom, live in fear.” Also: “Let’s be very afraid!” She is so funny, but she is right!

Paul instructs us: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

Did you know that living in fear causes health and mental issues which rob you of complete peace? The article “Living in Fear” states, “Living under constant threat weakens our immune system and can cause Cardiovascular damage, gastrointestinal problems such as ulcers and irritable bowel syndrome, and decreased fertility. Other consequences of long-term fear include fatigue, clinical depression, accelerated aging, and even premature death.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, “Fear defeats more people than any other one thing in the world.” Wow, is that so true! How many of us live in fear?

I found these interesting stats about fear:

- Percent of things feared that will never take place: 60%
- Percent of things feared that happened in the past and can’t be changed: 30%
- Percent of things feared that are considered to be insignificant issues: 90%
- Percent of things feared in relation to health that will not happen: 88%
- Number of Americans who have a diagnosed phobia: 6.3 million

The website goes on to show the top phobias and the percentage of Americans who fit into this. How many of us have our dark rooms, worrying and contemplating what might happen if we do this or that, or if we don’t do this or that? “Fear is the darkroom where negatives are developed.”

We can easily become victims of fear, fearing natural disasters, weapons of mass destruction, diseases, pain, terrorist attacks, crime, economic collapse, and death. The news media seems to feed on drama and fear. Watch the news for one evening and that will leave you hanging for hours worrying about this or that.

Fearless King David went out and fought the giant while others hid in fear. David faced lions, bears, armies, and enemies, but he did not fear for he knew who would take care of him. “I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears” (Psalm 34:4). Notice God delivered him from not just some of his fears but God delivered him from all!

David was inspired to write Psalm 23, one of the most famous in the Bible:

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me. Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil. My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.”

Psalm 23 covers just about everything we can be fearful of.

So what are you fearful of? Take it to God in prayer and ask God to give you peace and faith. Take one day at a time and reflect on the blessings that God has given you, and the times He intervened for you. Serve others with love. Do a study on fear in the Bible and online. Read the Psalms to find great comfort. Let us all become fearless, filled with hope and faith in our Great Father in Heaven.