Faith Over Fear

By Paula Williamson, guest writer

We live in a fearmongering world. Every news headline is filled with words like urgent, imminent, and happening now. Whether a fearful thought is real or imagined, it has the same adverse effect on our bodies and floods us with these chemicals: 

Adrenaline: Boosts your heart rate, expands your airways, and releases stored energy for quick action. Noradrenaline: Increases blood pressure and redirects blood flow to your major muscle groups. Cortisol: Keeps your body on high alert and floods your system with extra glucose for sustained fuel. The long-term effects of chronic fear can include:

·       Brain changes: The amygdala can grow larger and hyper-reactive, while memory and calm-thinking areas like the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex can shrink.

·       Mental health: Increases the risk of persistent anxiety, depression, and severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

·       Physical toll: Keeps blood pressure high, which strains the heart and weakens your immune system over time.

It Is Written

PSALM 91:2 This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he

is my God, and I trust him.

Vitamin G

Vitamin G is God. Yep, I made that up, but we are quick to look for a cure for what ails us. Why not try trusting God and His Word? It is filled with promises that do not promote fear, gloom, doom, or despair. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 38 million people take medication for anxiety, and 16% take medication for depression. According to a Stanford report, faith improved health after COVID.

 Prayer

Lord, I choose to take control of my thoughts and not let them run amok. Your Word in 1 Corinthians 10:5 tells me to take every thought captive, and 2 Timothy 1:7 says You do not give us a spirit of fear but power, love, and a sound mind. Help me take personal responsibility for what I read, listen to, meditate on, and believe. I want to trust You.

Takeaway

He is my refuge and my safe place, and He is trustworthy.