Don't Be Afraid

 

"Don't be afraid !"

How many times have we said that to others, or to ourselves?  It may be wise to consider the source and reason for one to become fearful.

My grandfather was one of the soldiers on the famous landing of D Day and actually had a general shot and killed beside him.  He could have just dragged the body back and stayed with it, but he didn't. After placing the body on the boat he stormed the beach alone.

I've often wondered had that general shouted encouragement to the soldiers such as the admonition to not be afraid.  But how could these young men not be afraid?

They were facing unimaginable defensive fire power.  The ocean really did look like Kool-aid and body parts floating around as though ice cubes in a cocktail.  He had grown up in a small rural area and had never seen this level of violence.

Then he was a liberator.  He cried when he finally told me the stories when I was in college. It changed him forever.  He became a heavy drinker and he always had a long barrel six shooter hidden in the cushions of his chair.

Fear changes you.  Fear's purpose is to keep you and others safe.  Sometimes this safety is physical but also may be emotional.  Being fearful is natural but it also may foreshadow or point to something you know you have done or are doing that is wrong.  Perhaps following the law.

Our laws are agreements within our society of how we are to behave. It is also points us to acceptable expectations. 

Is it acceptable to you that others on the road are driving well over the speed limit?

Is it acceptable to you that someone operates ANY machinery while drinking alcoholic beverages?

Is it acceptable to you that anyone fires off bullets to just do so realizing that which goes up will absolutely come down?

Is it ok to you that an adult hits or mistreats a child or neglects that child or imprisons that child?

Is it ok with you if someone takes advantage of an elderly person?

Here's the thing...........

If you don't call them down who will?

If you don't have the courage to step up do you have the shame to hide your face?

If you can't be a good example for others who do you expect to do so?

The Bible says to do unto others as you would have them do unto you.  I N D E E D !!!!!!