What’s in Your Spirit?

“Fear defeats more people than any other one thing in the world.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

What are the white spots in this photo?

Our brain unconsciously detects danger in the part of the brain, the amygdala,  yet that danger causing the “feelings “of fear involve a whole brain system of hormones, memories, and physical observance to bring  about conscious feeling of fear (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/contributors/joseph-e-ledoux-phd )

In fact, the feelings of fear are also in the the gut, the enteric nervous system , which controls digestion. (Approach to Treating Psychiatric Disorders | Atsushi Kamiya, M.D. )

Once up close, those white spots in the photo are simply reflections of the sunlight on the water and close up in the photo look like tiny star shaped objects.  Nothing to fear. This is a very simplified conclusion from scientific studies but it shows that when God says “Don’t fear” 365 times in His Word, He gives us the way to accomplish it. Consciously , we can trust in God’s unconditional love, believe in the power of the Resurrection, and then with a “sound mind” reject the unconscious fears that control us. We need a danger detection system in the brain but also a way to turn off the alarm to prevent anxiety disorders.

“For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” Isaiah 41:13

“Fear causes us to look behind

Always wondering what we’ll find

Following us, stalking us, causing alarm

With grave intention to do is harm.

Fear causes us to look ahead

Captured by feelings that create dread

Of all the what ifs each day can bring

Knowing alone, we can’t do a thing.

Fear can freeze us like the weather

Or we will flee all together

Into whatever relieves the pain

Then all is lost, nothing to gain.

Fear is the spirit of the devil

And he’ll stoop to the lowest level

To steal, to kill and to destroy,

All his tactics he will employ.

BUT

God’s perfect love has no fear.

His Spirit is Power for He is near

His Spirit is LOVE, our reward,  a sound mind. In Christ, we can leave all fear behind.

“God didn’t give us a spirit of fear but a Spirit of love, power and a sound mind. “

2 Timothy 1:7. Amen.