In one of the most famous political speeches of the 20th century, President Franklin Roosevelt said: "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." From time to time, perhaps, we need to hear those words again... or other words like them:

"Fears are educated into us, and can, if we wish, be educated out." (Karl Menninger)

"I am not afraid of tomorrow, for I have seen yesterday, and I love today." (William Allen White)

"Never be afraid to attempt something new. Remember, an amateur built the ark. Professionals built the Titanic."  (anonymous)

"You block your dream when you allow your fear to grow bigger than your faith." (Mary Manin Morrissey)

Or, to me the most inspiring of all:

"Fear not, for I have overcome the world." (Jesus)

Fear is a reality. We really can't turn on the TV or read the morning news without feeling a certain level of anxiety. But fear is also something that must be faced, and when faced, is usually controlled, if not conquered altogether.

One way to face current political or economic fears is by developing a sense of history. As Christ said, there have been and will be "wars and rumors of wars." It is always tragic, but it is never new. History teaches that tyrants eventually lose. They always have, civilization by civilization. Look at the collapse of the Roman Empire, which was considered unconquerable. In more recent years, consider the fall of Naziism or of the Berlin Wall. The Soviet Union became a (still emerging) collection of democratic states. Even China and Cuba, still officially Communist, are becoming economically capitalistic. In much the same fashion, the temporary sources of political terrorism are just that -- temporary. History teaches that lesson. As William Allen White said: "I am not afraid of tomorrow, for I have seen yesterday...."

One way to overcome anxiety related to launching out personally or professionally, trying something new, chasing a dream, etc., is to remember the lessons of countless others who were told, "That will never work," only to prove their detractors wrong. Dr. Peale used to say: "You can if you think you can."  Admittedly, that doesn't mean I can sing at the Met or pitch for the Yankees. But, it does mean that if you and I honestly take stock of our talents, we can put those talents to use in creative and successful ways. Is there something you can do (and love to do)? Then why let fear stand in the way of dreaming big and, simply put, going for it? Noah was an amateur, and the ark proved water-worthy.

As I wrote at the beginning of this blog, the most inspiring assurance of all is the assurance of Faith. Jesus said: "Fear not, for I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)  From politics to economics, from the job market to the housing market to the stock market, from the divorce court to the emergency room, from parenting to aging, make up your own list, there are issues that alarm us. They are bigger than we are. And so we cry out, as did St. Brendan in his famous prayer: "O God, the sea is so large, and my boat is so small." But, to that cry comes a response: "Peace.  Be still. I am with you always. And, whatever in this world has you frightened, Fear not, for I have overcome the world." Ms. Morrissey was on target when she advised that we can never allow our fear to grow larger than our faith. When the world seems bigger than we are, there is a God nearby who is much bigger (and stronger) than the world.  And that God loves us and walks beside us. As the 23rd Psalm put it: "I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me."

Fear is real and can serve some good purposes. I taught my children to be intelligently afraid of the consequences of fire and thus not to play with matches. However, fear should not be debilitating... especially because, at the end of the day, we believe in a God who is bigger than whatever the world throws our way, and Who loves us and walks beside us. Never allow your fear to grow bigger than your faith.