I asked my 19-year-old son what he would do if stopped by a police offer for a traffic violation. He responded twice, “panic.” I thought to myself that this would probably not be the best response, but the most natural in our country at this time.
Panic or anxiety is fear-based. Why would my son fear those who are sworn to protect and serve him? It is not from what he has experienced, but from what he has seen multiple times throughout the country but particularly in his home town of Baton Rouge, La. If my son does not control his fear he could endanger his life. If the officer doesn’t control his, he can take my son’s life. Who is responsible for this fear? Their cumulative life experiences.
While we do have some control of our life experiences there are many that we do not control. These experiences shape our fears. Fear left unchecked will dominate. My encouragement for each of us today is to know that “perfect love cast out all fear.”