FEAR WILL NOT WIN

SCRIPTURE: PSALM 34:4

I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.

FEAR WILL NOT WIN ! ! ! ! !

How easy it would be to watch the news and lock the door. How easy it would be to stay inside - safe. Away from danger. Away from hate. And evil.

How easy to say it will never happen here. Only there. It will never happen to me. Only to them. I will not read the paper. I will not watch the news. I will just be quiet and wait for it all to end. I will close the blinds tightly and turn my lights off. The phone unplugged. No one will know where I am. Then I will be safe. Then no one can harm me. I will ---

I refuse to allow fear to destroy my life!

I refuse to allow fear to consume me!

I will not close my door to the world! I will not stay inside! I will not sit quietly by afraid to say anything. I will fight hate and evil because I know it can happen here. I know it can happen to me.

FEAR WILL NOT WIN ! ! ! ! !

Evil wins because people stay behind their doors instead of telling gangs they do not want them in their neighborhood. Evil wins because parents want to be friends with their kids instead of teaching them values and telling them no. Evil wins because we have become a society of “you owe me” and feel we do not have to take responsibility for our actions and decisions. Evil wins because our youth receive grades/trophies they did not earn and they do not know how to congratulate the winners and accept the fact that they lost. Evil wins because we forget that, at times, life just plain sucks. Evil wins because violence is a part of our television programs, our movies and our video games. Evil wins because violence becomes acceptable. Evil wins because words like respect, honor and loyalty no longer fit into our lifestyles.

Evil wins when fear makes us hide behind closed doors. Evil wins when fear keeps us silent.

I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.

I refuse to allow fear to destroy my life! I refuse to allow fear to consume me! Fear will not win!