BE AFRAID...VERY AFRAID

Fear is the world's newest pastime, and Jesus' disciples are quickly becoming willing players.

There's nothing more invigorating than a good case of the bone-rattling "shakes." Fear gets our adrenaline going, our heart pumping, and our emotions all out of wack. But there's one big problem; too many doses of fear and we become hooked. And when we can't get that fix, we bounce off the walls harder than an addict with an empty crack pipe.

"Fear has become the new American drug, and the media and politicians have become the "El Chapo."

From viruses to astroids, there's no shortage of ingredients fueling fear. However, you don't have to feel left out if the conventional fears aren't pegging out your fear-meter, Here are a few of real fears to choose from in the event you see yourself as a fearless warrior:

• Globophobia. Fear of balloons. And what's not there to be afraid of creepy air-filled latex spheres?

• Anatidaephobia. Fear of being watched by a duck. If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck.... But is it watching you?

• Geliophobia. Fear of laughter. Actually, I've worked in places where everyone, including management, must have suffered from this one.

Over the years, it seems we have fallen in love with fear. We shouldn't be surprised. The media bombard us every 10 minutes with a new fear. "BREAKING NEWS!!!" or "NEWS ALERT!!!" flash across our screens announcing the latest things we need to pack into our fear pipe. Why? Because it sells. Of course, politicians, ones never to let a good "crisis" go to waste, ramp up the fear-mongering to new levels.

Fear is a time-proven method to control the masses. The crowds lap it up like dogs drinking antifreeze and walk away with a new level of excitement. Fear has become the new American drug. And the media and politicians have become the "El Chapo.""What? you're not afraid? Then there is something seriously wrong with you!" In our insane society, it has become courageous to be fearful. Something, somewhere, has gone off the deep end.

The real tragedy of this unfortunate reality is many Christians have fallen into the fear trap. Churches, large and small, take the bait and swallow it to the tail fin. Of all the groups in the universe, the disciples of Jesus should be the last to fear anything. Yet, I know many who live in this world of fear and terror only to buy the next fear they've been sold.

Does this mean we shouldn't be concerned or alarmed about events or situations? Well, yes, and no. We don't want to be ignorant of our surroundings. We are called to be wise. However, put yourself in Jesus' day. The average person worked hard for their daily bread with little guarantee their next meal would be on the table in the morning. Disease was widespread and most were incurable. Smallpox and plagues killed millions, often wiping out half of a country's population (something far worse than we've seen from the last pandemic). If you injured yourself and couldn't work, there was not much hope for your survival. And forget about a 401K or Social Security check. Life was HARD...real hard. Yet, Jesus tells his disciples not to worry because if God knows when a sparrow falls from the sky, then he certainly knows their needs.

Today, we have modern medicine and science, retirement systems, social services, and many other advances people a hundred years ago could only dream of. Yet, we are some of the most worrisome people on the planet. Why? Because we have surrendered to fear. Compared to those living in the 1800s, not to mention the days of Jesus, we ought to be embarrassed.

So how do we battle fear? By going on a diet, of course!

1. Reduce your brain intake. Turn off the TV or any other medium pumping your brain and mind with constant fear. Media is packing their bank accounts to the brim selling viewers a constant diet of fear. Don't worry. You're not missing much on TV. Most of it is a repeat of the day before.

2. Think healthy. Instead of kick-starting your day with the latest news, begin your day by simply talking with God. Ask him questions. Listen for his response. Challenge yourself to memorize a small book of the Bible, say Jude, or Philemon. See how many books you can memorize.

3. Exercise your spirit. In Philippians 4, Paul gives the antidote to fear and the meal plan for a healthy spiritual life: "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."

4. Stay off the sweets. As with any diet, the biggest temptation is to go back to the old ways of thinking. Stay away from the negativity. When tempted to taste the old ways, practice the self-discipline of the spiritual life. No, it's not easy...just very rewarding.

Fear has crippled the masses. Be different. Don't fall into the same trap everyone else has fallen into. Take a different path. Choose the spiritual life and the ways of Christ.