I recently taught a lesson on fear at school. I said to my students that FEAR is real. In reflection, I had gone through a moment of fear in my life last month.
The weatherman reported a tornado warning in my area. Since a little girl, I have always been scared when it comes to bad weather. I used to hide under my bed when it started to thunder and lightning.
I reacted quickly to the warning by getting in my interior bedroom closet and crouching on the floor. I did as the weatherman advised. I took a blanket and pillow. I took my phone, and computer; grabbed my purse, also. My mom, who was in a different area, called me to inquire where I was, and that I had better get into a safe location because from what she was hearing on the news; a tornado, or strong winds, was headed my way. Of course, I was scared!
From my closet, I could hear theT.V. weatherman continually reporting on the weather. I also could hear the winds howling and the rain pounding outside.
I had to gain my composure. I remember what my pastors said that fear was; False Evidence Appearing Real. I spoke, “wait a minute!”
Our God in heaven controls these storms, and He gives me the power and authority to speak His word. I started to pray out loud that God has not given me the spirit of fear, and to declare that the winds and the rains die down now. I stated that our lives would not be at stake, and that our area and properties would not be damaged. What a calmness and a confidence I felt after that!