By CK Wilde for 3GenFamily Blog
“Here, let me help you try it on.”
The sales clerk had noticed that I had stopped to touch one of the fuzzy blue bathrobes that was displayed on the table near the main aisle.
As the sales person enveloped me with the fluffy, powder blue robe, I admired its cozy feel. “I was thinking that it would make a nice Christmas gift for someone I know,” I smiled. It’s not unusual for me to start shopping for Christmas at the Labor Day sales.
“Oh . . . well . . . who knows what will happen by December.” The sales woman’s mood had suddenly changed. “Who knows if anyone will even have a job in December!”
I put the robe back down on the table, smiled as sweetly as I could and thanked the woman for her help. Then, I maneuvered my shopping cart to the other side of the building as fast as I could without running anyone over.
Fear — Is It Contagious?
We all say the wrong thing sometimes. But, I was dumbfounded by this sales clerk’s remark. Her own fear twisted her words so that she chased me away instead of making a sale.
My vision of the smile on the face of a friend opening her gift on Christmas morphed into the specter of being out of work and broke. Yikes! I’d better save my money. Let me out of here!
Researchers at Rice University are convinced they have identified the scent of fear. The Pentagon is studying ways to isolate human “fear chemicals” by studying first-time tandem skydivers. (First-time skydivers jump with an experienced skydiver. It is called tandem.) Perhaps someone at the Pentagon has an idea that lives will be saved if we just spray the enemy with this chemical and they run away rather than fight.
But, they are barking up the wrong tree, I think. (Pun intended.) Our canine friends experience the world primarily through the sense of smell, while we humans have come to depend more on vision and hearing. Horror movies and world events, commentary on cable TV or even someone reminding us about the economy are far more effective at making us afraid.
And, any chemical used to attempt to incite fear will most likely create unpredictable reactions because each of us has the ability to counteract fear.
Imagine Your Life Without Fear
Max Lucado’s new book, Fearless: Imagine Your Life Without Fear
His is an confidently Christian approach. You would expect that from a prolific writer who is the minister of a non-denominational Christian church in San Antonio, Texas. (Until now, I was more familiar with his children’s books, which are terrific.)
But, there is nothing “preachy” about Max Lucado’s writing. In a warm, conversational style, he shares anecdotes from his own life and others on the issues that can cause any of us to be afraid: the safety of our children, layoffs at work, violence in the world, or being seriously ill.
Lucado tells us that Jesus takes our fears seriously, urging us to not be afraid. The engaging narrative weaves quotes from Scripture with the pressing issues in our world today.
The bottom line: you can choose to banish fear from your life.
Everyday I meet people like that sales clerk. Fear has a choke hold on them. I have been there, too. We all need help getting free. Fearless: Imagine Your Life Without Fear
is perfect reading for the person who is tired of living with doom and gloom. It’s a great book! I just wish I had it with me when I went shopping. I think that sales clerk would have appreciated it, too.
Note: The publisher provided a free copy of this book to review. While I appreciate this courtesy, I don’t let that influence me. This review contains my honest opinions about this book.
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© 2009 CK Wilde. All Rights Reserved. Please feel free to link to this post but you must have prior written permission (please use the comments) to reproduce this post either whole or in part.
