Life is filled with fears and dreads of all kinds. The Book of Psalms is especially helpful to us because it contains many passages that deal with enemies, slander, treachery, danger and so forth and then encourages us to turn to God for assistance.

People in leadership roles often have many enemies who slander them and seek to harm them.

This was true of the Lord Jesus, wasn't it?

Our concerns often come in the form of sickness, accident, financial problems, or dangerous and hurtful situations concerning our loved ones.

When we fear we are to seek the Lord. This is what King David did. He did not trust in his sword and bow, as we know from many of the Psalms. David trusted in the Lord and called on the Lord in his time of need.

Sometimes our fears and dreads mount until we panic. Have you ever had that happen? We become so frightened we are unable to pray. We don't want to go to bed at night because we are afraid of our thoughts and dreams. We don't want to get up in the morning because we are afraid we will hear that bad news we have been dreading.

People today watch the television to relieve their anxieties. But television solves nothing. We only postpone the problem. There we sit watching foolish, lustful, or violent scenes. Gnawing at the back of our mind is the thing we fear.

Take hold of yourself and what faith you have and pray. Ask God to help you.

When you do this, you may become so frightened at what you are facing you get back up on your feet.

Stay there in prayer! Stay there in prayer! Don't move until you touch God.

The prayer of relinquishment helps. Tell God that if the evil does happen you know He will work it for good.

Much of our problem with fear occurs because there is something we dread so terribly we can't face it. We stuff it. But it's there. We can't face it and yet its little head keeps popping up.

Face your dread in prayer. Tell the Lord you want His will above all and that you know He loves you and will take care of you if the worst happens.

Let go and let God!

If you keep before the Lord you finally will break through into His Presence. The load of oppression will lift. The fear will leave.

"I sought the Lord and He heard me and delivered me from all my fears." It's the fear that is the problem and it's the fear that the Lord removes.

When the fear leaves you will be able to face your predicament rationally and calmly. The Lord will guide you if you keep lifting up your soul to Him.

It has worked for me. Maybe it will help you.