Understanding

Fear is another very powerful invisible force. Fear comes in so many unfortunate forms: bigotry, racism, sexism, ageism, xenophobia.

Understanding is arguably the opposite of fear. Only through the invisible force of understanding do we overcome fear.

Bigotry, racism, sexism, ageism and xenophobia are all irrational fears, as knowledge and understanding of the true facts quickly demonstrates.

For fears that are rationally based, such as fear of a hurricane, it is understanding that helps us overcome the fear. Based on understanding, we make contingency plans to provide for our family’s safety and to properly insure our homes. Because fear necessarily means something in the future, we use our understanding presently to apprise ourselves of the issue so that we can properly attend to it.

The invisible force of understanding is the opposite of the invisible force of fear, but proper and full understanding, followed by the right action, overcomes fear.

Discussion

• Describe a time you were in fear?

• What did you do to address the situation?

• What might you have done differently?