Fear Is the Problem

The enemy is fear. We think it is hate, but it is fear. ~ Ghandi

The last few days have been yet another painful reminder that our nation is in crisis. As I watch news stories where armies of young Americans march in the streets with torches, spewing hateful rhetoric that’s as wicked and evil as anything coming out of North Korea, I wonder how we got here again.

Is it because we’ve ignored the ugly lessons of history? Is it because we’ve allowed ourselves for several generations the luxury of blaming others—in and out of our country—for our problems? Is it because our politics and our preachers have promoted this “you deserve better” attitude that has created an atmosphere of churning discontent any time things don’t go our way? Is it because the corporate oligarchy that controls everything from what we watch to what we read to what we eat has figured out that if the masses are enmeshed in constant struggles with each other they won’t notice that the oligarchy grows fatter and fatter by the day? Is it because over the course of the last generation we’ve allowed “freedom of speech” to become the freedom to abuse, attack, accuse and basically say any crazy thing we want no matter the consequences?

It could be any or all these things, and a thousand more possibilities, but when it comes down to it, I think the underlying problem is fear. Fear of loss, fear of failure, fear of the unknown, fear of change, fear of the future. It doesn’t matter what kind of fear it is, fear feeds hatred.

It’s tempting to jump on the nearest bandwagon and give in to the fear… but that’s not an answer.

It’s going to take a concerted effort on the part of every sane person to neutralize the fear that has gripped our nation. How do you neutralize fear? The Bible says “perfect love casts out fear.” We need to speak the truth in love. We need to demonstrate love to one another. And we need to set examples of love—the unconditional kind—for our children and our children’s children.  

O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us;unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 




Niki Turner is an author, newspaper publisher and editor. You can find her at www.nikiturner.net or visit her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/nikiturnerauthor/. All her books are available on Amazon at amzn.to/2hWOsLV