The simplicity of Yoda’s words should be made into a plaque and hung in a conspicuous place in our homes. Fear has the ability to disable – to cripple – and crush us, if we let it. I’ve gotten hooked on the old television series, “Monk,” in which the protagonist is in this state of existence. His phobias are many. He’s afraid of germs, afraid of heights, afraid of flying, fears anything that’s out of order (OCD,) afraid of not finding his wife’s murderer. His fears are cause for him to see a psychiatrist, as often happens when people experience fear of any kind. When the fears outnumber the positive things in life, it becomes a curse. Even in his state of constant fear, Monk is able to put pieces together to solve an unsolvable crime. He refers to his talent as a blessing, but also a curse.

His case is extreme by most standards, but can you imagine what it would be like to be controlled by your fears? We all have them. I have lots of them. I fear heights, I’m claustrophobic, I am afraid of dying from drowning. I’ve even had visions of drowning as the Titanic went under and so did I. Some might call that premonition of a past life. I think it’s something I’ve dreamed up in the recesses of my creative mind.

At times it seems that our entire nation is being controlled by fear. Right now we’re wondering if the pandemic will ever end. We’re afraid to get vaccinated or we’ve been sold a bill of goods that makes us think the cure will be worse than the cause. We have a government that is ruled by a wealthy, aging group of Senators who seem destined to keep their jobs forever. Doing those jobs is something else again. An aristocracy, not unlike the government that ruled our first colonies from England, has insidiously grown into more of the same. Our leaders can’t be trusted. Our media is beyond our trust. The general population has opted for the easy way out and no longer puts its trust in law enforcement. We fear death, depression, mental illness, anxious moments, fear of failure and so much more, Some are even afraid of living and choose to end it. Who do we trust? For many, the answer is that we can only trust ourselves. For some of us, we’ve learned that trust in God is the only answer.

Our fears can capture us and like Monk, we can be enslaved by them. So what is the solution to this madness? Who do you trust when everything is closing in on you? Where do you go when life seems impossible? Is there any place, person or thing that can relieve your fears or allow you to live with them? I think we might be surprised to know that we aren’t alone in our fears. I would venture to say, everyone has given in to one or another of the fears that plague us. The fact is that not all of us will be disabled by them if we trust in the only One who can be trusted. God is our Shield – our Protection – our Champion – Our Leader – our Shepherd – our Comfort and our promise of life everlasting. He alone can wash away our fears and He did so when He gave up His earthly life and died. But it didn’t end there. He rose and overcame death on the third day after His crucifixion. He returned in a glorified body, with only the remnants of scars left by the nails that held Him and the sword that pierced His side.

So join me today, outside of the dark side. We are no longer slaves to darkness. Jesus has made it possible to see our fears, repent of them and lay them at the foot of the cross. When you flee from those fears, you will be able see the Light and place your trust in the One True God.