We talked about the economy last time where fear often resides. Where else does fear reside? 

In my life, fear often resides in a future event where there is only one outcome. It's the one and only outcome I made up from my Sludgy pond (my own perspective of what I know usually from my pride). Everytime I think of that one outcome, fear fills me up until it becomes "my state of being"...IF I let it! 

What about in your life? Where does fear reside? Perhaps it's in losing someone you love. Perhaps it's in being rejected for that job you want. Perhaps it's in not being able to pay your bills. Perhaps it's in being embarrassed. Perhaps it's in the fact that no one cares about you. Perhaps it's in a real danger by a person desiring you harm. What do you decide to do with that emotion? 

Fear will reign out of actively imagining, not solely out of real danger. Sometimes what you may do is to actively imagine an outcome. This is great for problem solving and even greater if you are inclusive of God in "the many options imagined." But when you use it to actively imagine only one outcome out of your own pool of thoughts you are entertaining "Fear"to be "your state of being." That's not a good place to live from. 

And your unconscious mind can't tell the difference whether the outcome you are actively imagining, is really happening or not. So your body responds with the needed processes for the presence of "Fear" to reign in you. Adrenalin rushes, muscles tense-up ready for action, your mind runs trying to figure out a way out with panic! Imagine experiencing these processes over and over again when the outcome is only being imagined. It can become the pattern of your thoughts, a habit.

When "Fear" reigns in you what can you do? One option is to stop actively imagining only one outcome. Expand your outcomes to seven options. Ask God in to help you with some other options. Make four of the seven, positive outcomes. Write them down, one through seven. Then decide which one you are going to "hang your hat on." Write down why you are choosing this one. Date it. Use this prevention for "Fear reigning."

Remember that it's not the emotion of fear that's harmful. It's what we decide to do with it once we feel it.

Another option is to use the strongest known anecdote for fear, "Love." Choose to invite in and stay in God's loving presence for God is Love. Soak Him in. Think about whom He is; the names He's called by those who have known Him. Up rises worship. Up rises what you are grateful for. Up rises hope. Full is your love for Him. Gone is confusion. Gone is "your state of Fear," because "There is NO FEAR in Love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because He first loved us." (I John 4:18-19 NIV) This is your anecdote for "Fear reigning."

When two emotions are in conflict, the stronger one will win so let Love reign in you! "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." (I Corinthians 13:4-8a)        

Photo: "Need options assist key" © Clearviewstock / Dreamstime.com