So many things play different roles; spawn many motivations, causing a myriad of results, initiate changes, and shapes people's lives for better or worse. Fear happens to be one of those many things that reside in daily living.

There are two ways fear exists: respect to higher authority and a natural feeling of alarm. It can be friend or foe, work for us or against us, builds up or tears down, motivates or paralyses, look forward or backward, or draw you close or flee. One way or the other, fear causes change.

We have a tendency to have a knee-jerk reaction to define fear to be negative. This could be expectation from seeing or experiencing chaos and trouble all the time--hoping the bad will go away. Only if we were a fly on the wall that had the patience and bravery to keep from reacting during the time Christ was arrested, tried, and sentenced to be crucified on the cross. We would see fear show up in different ways.

1. Pontius Pilate losing his position as governor if he did not satisfy the desire of the Religious community to convict Jesus
2. Mary not finding the body of Jesus in the tomb
3. Roman guards not able to stop Jesus leaving the tomb
4. Peter defending Christ by cutting off the ear of the Roman Guard
5. The religious leaders losing their position in society if the Roman government failed to get rid of Christ
6. The disciples and followers not having Jesus around after he was crucified
7. The moment when Christ was arrested by the order of the Roman Government
8. Peter being found out three times when he was one of the disciple in the court yard where Christ was after Christ's arrest
9. The disciples and followers hiding because of what possible harm the Jews could do to them after Christ was crucified

There was probably other kinds of fear manifesting itself during the time of Christ's crucifixion that rippled out everywhere in the Roman Empire and the religious community before and after because of guilt and doubt. Just by the list above of how fear played out, it revealed it had many faces and caused many changes. So, what do we do? Do we shutter or thank fear for what it is? Yes and no.

Winston Churchill in part of his speech during the bombardment of England in World War 2 said, "The only thing to fear is fear itself..." That statement was remembered during the remainder of WW2 to keep England and its allies from being paralyzed from the effect and reality of the destruction of the German war machine had on the world.

Even though fear is a part of our lives, whether positive or negative, it will be there until Christ's return. This is where the battle rests. It rests between the ears. In other words; it's in our mind. That's why Paul mentioned to put on the "Helmet of Salvation". In other words: do it first thing in the morning meditating on the word of God. Do this before your daily rituals start. Adding to that, Paul said: "Study to show yourself approved. A workman needing not to be ashamed, but rightly dividing the word of truth..."

Learning how to cope with fear is not an easy and not a quick process. It is a lifetime thing. God is not going to take it away because it is a necessary thing to have. We have got to learn to manage it when it shows up and recognize it for what it is worth. It is nothing to play with and not to be ignored.

Throughout the Psalms, especially from the 22^nd to the 25^th chapter, encouragement is described richly. When the 23^rd chapter is read, a subtle and picturesque description is found showing in verse four and five. The objects that are used are important symbolisms. Verse four and five is the pinnacle point between chapters 22-25. Not knowing the meaning behind the symbolisms is a loss to the reader.

1. The "Valley" is usually an area that is level where everything is easily seen in clear view. Also, it is known where trials and sorrows are located.
2. The "Rod and Staff" was a single long stick curved at one end into a "U" shape for the shepherd to hook around the neck of a sheep to pull back. The other end of the long stick was blunt end and was used as a "Prod" to gently pock in the side of the sheep to cause it to move forward if the sheep was stubborn. Also, it was used to tap the sheep lightly to encourage it to move if the sheep was tame. The "Rod and Staff" was used as a. defensive and offensive weapon to ward off wild animals that would prey on the sheep.
3. The "Table" was not a piece of furniture of any kind. It was a chart, map, or a graph that had a plan of attack on the enemy.

If you notice when the psalmist mentioned the table, it was in the presence of the enemy. This shows how determined, strong, and mighty God's plans are when they are revealed to a Christian. They are so solid because God purposely exposes His plan(s) that cannot be defeated even when the enemy is present and there looking at them.

So, fear can be right there next to the Christian in all of its power, persuasion, and ability. But, that is it--there just there.

Fear is like a battery. A battery is a stored unit of energy sitting ready to be used. That is called "Potential Energy". When you put that battery into a flashlight and light up the L.E.D., it becomes "Kinetic Energy". Kinetic Energy is energy being used.

So, fear is a natural thing that all of us experience. It can be respect or a phobia. Remembering when we face fear, it is not so bad when we understand what God can do.