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Conditioned By Fear

These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.
Deuteronomy 6:6

We live in the most fearful generation in history - and it's contagious. Fear comes at us from every direction. Growing up, how often were you told, "Don't be afraid. Take a risk. It'll work out" Probably not too often, right? The message was more like, "Be careful. You'll get hurt. Don't play with that stick; you'll poke your eye out!" When you're conditioned by fear, your outlook becomes distorted and you start believing that life's too hard or that it's supposed to be filled with anxiety. Because fear sells, the media perpetuate the concept. Leonard Sweet writes: "Fear drives our need for security. Look at our cars. First we install seat belts, then we install shoulder belts, then we build contraptions that put both together. Then we turn the shoulder harness into a boa constrictor that pins us to our seats, and then we install air bags. Soon we'll be riding around inside a giant marshmallow!" Parent, what message are you sending your children? Is it one of fear or faith? Listen: "commit yourselves wholeheartedly to [My] commands. Repeat them to your children, when you are at home, away on a journey, lying down, getting up again."

"What are these commands?" you ask. Here are some that deal with fear: a) "Fear nothing, though others succumb, You'll stand untouched" (Psalm 91:5-7) b) "No need to panic over alarms or surprises, God will be right there. He'll keep you safe" (Proverbs 3:25-26) c) "Don't be afraid, I am with you, I will uphold you" (Isaiah 41:10). And those are just a few for starters!

Prayer
Heavenly Father, grant me calmness in the storms of this life, trusting you are always there with and for me. In Your Precious Name, Amen