Editorial August 9, 1947 Issue

THE FEARLESSNESS OF BEING

L. Ivimy Gwalter

"Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the Lord will do great things" (Joel 2:21). From Genesis to Revelation the Bible is full of the comforting assurance of God's protection and the tender admonitions "Fear not," "Be not afraid"; yet through the centuries humanity has not been rid of its fears. Indeed, if anything, it would appear that fear is multiplying, danger seems more imminent, and the inventions of the human mind seem more terrifying. The medical profession generally is acknowledging that fear is an important factor in all disease; yet humanity, for all its research and invention, has discovered no way to overcome its fears.

Who indeed would not be rid of fear? Fear is both paralyzing and deadening; it is a latent element of mortal mind, sometimes dormant, often conscious. Frequently the advice is given, "Oh, you mustn't be afraid," or, "You must overcome that fear," but few tell how to do so, for mortal mind, being a state of fear, does not know how to conquer itself. Fear is mere negation. Like darkness, it is not the presence of something, but a belief of the absence of the assurance and confidence that are man's God-bestowed heritage. Fear is an element of all disease; without the annihilation of fear there is no real healing. At a time of epidemic it is fear, rather than physical contact, that carries and transmits the disease.

Now the overcoming of fear can only be accomplished spiritually. The deep, fundamental understanding that Life is God destroys fear, and nothing else will. So long as mortal man believes himself to be a little, separate, finite being, subject to birth and death, and so long as education fosters this belief, he will remain frail and destructible, and not all the human theories in the world can help him.

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