Many of us are victims of fear. These were usually implanted in us when we were children. Knowingly or unknowingly, parents instill fear into their children. These usually happened when parents wanted their children to submit to them. When parents attempt to rule their child by fear then fear rules the child, and it remains there when the child becomes an adult.
Ironically, fear can be healthy as well as unhealthy. For example, fear of failing our examination will cause us to put in more effort in our study. A degree of fear may cause a surgeon to be more careful during an operation. The fear of the Lord, says the scripture is the beginning of wisdom.
However, fear when pushed past a limit can inhibit us and even paralyse us. It causes us to “bury our talents” and gripped our lives to that extent that we dare not venture out. Unhealthy fear has to be brought under control and used for constructive purposes.
Very often, we heard people said that “what I have feared has come upon me; what I have dreaded has happened to me.” It seems that what we fear to happen will happen. Is it a question of cause and effect? Is it a question of self-fulfilling prophecy.
For example, when our children are not back home at the usual time and effort to contact them failed. Mobile phone not responding. Friends you contacted have not met up with her. You became fearful and negative thoughts kept coming to your mind. Something must have happen to them. You feared the worst, met an accident? Met with bad company, drugs?... and the list of negative thoughts.
Ironically, fear can be healthy as well as unhealthy. For example, fear of failing our examination will cause us to put in more effort in our study. A degree of fear may cause a surgeon to be more careful during an operation. The fear of the Lord, says the scripture is the beginning of wisdom.
However, fear when pushed past a limit can inhibit us and even paralyse us. It causes us to “bury our talents” and gripped our lives to that extent that we dare not venture out. Unhealthy fear has to be brought under control and used for constructive purposes.
Very often, we heard people said that “what I have feared has come upon me; what I have dreaded has happened to me.” It seems that what we fear to happen will happen. Is it a question of cause and effect? Is it a question of self-fulfilling prophecy.
For example, when our children are not back home at the usual time and effort to contact them failed. Mobile phone not responding. Friends you contacted have not met up with her. You became fearful and negative thoughts kept coming to your mind. Something must have happen to them. You feared the worst, met an accident? Met with bad company, drugs?... and the list of negative thoughts.
So What exactly is fear?
Fear is the emotion that people feel when they sense that they are in danger. It is a protective emotion, which signals danger and helps a person to prepare for and cope with it. Fear includes physical, mental, and behavioral reactions.
The physical reaction to fear is called the "fight or flight" response. "Fight or flight" is an involuntary response, a response that a person cannot control consciously but that is controlled by the body's nervous system*. It is the body's way of preparing to run from danger or to fight. The heart beats faster, and the blood pressure and breathing rate increase. Oxygen-rich blood rushes to the large muscles of the body, which are tensing to prepare to fight. The pupils of the eyes grow larger to help the eyes scan for danger. Epinephrine*, also called adrenaline (a-DREN-al-in), is released to prepare the body for quick action. Sweat is produced to cool the body.
Mentally, fear triggers thoughts about the danger or threat that the person senses. Thoughts may mentally size up the danger, anticipate what might happen, or imagine ways to avoid harm. Behaviorally, the person may startle or jump and then run, freeze, or get ready to fight.
The physical reaction to fear is called the "fight or flight" response. "Fight or flight" is an involuntary response, a response that a person cannot control consciously but that is controlled by the body's nervous system*. It is the body's way of preparing to run from danger or to fight. The heart beats faster, and the blood pressure and breathing rate increase. Oxygen-rich blood rushes to the large muscles of the body, which are tensing to prepare to fight. The pupils of the eyes grow larger to help the eyes scan for danger. Epinephrine*, also called adrenaline (a-DREN-al-in), is released to prepare the body for quick action. Sweat is produced to cool the body.
Mentally, fear triggers thoughts about the danger or threat that the person senses. Thoughts may mentally size up the danger, anticipate what might happen, or imagine ways to avoid harm. Behaviorally, the person may startle or jump and then run, freeze, or get ready to fight.
