Freefull

Often it feels like there is a constant barrage of fear based information flying at me (I love y’all but if I allowed every word said to control me; I would be nearly frozen in paranoia). Every post, story, and article is barking about something I should be worrying about. I should be worried about education, medicine, environment, food, products, government… There is literally a voice speaking fear over every single thing. I challenge you to take inventory of every piece of information you consume today. And I don’t just mean news media. I’m talking about your friends, family, and the social media accounts you follow too. How many times are you being told to worry? How many times are you being “taught” about some issue that should scare you? Really tune in to how frequently fear is used to “inform” you.

Being truly informed is important. Those that know me, know that I aim to understand all sides of the issue at hand. I am wary of anything that takes a strong one-sided, inflammatory stance. And as much as true injustice makes my blood boil, I do not incite needless conflict over every unfair act or difference of opinion. I am quick to place boundaries around anything painted in angry panic.

I believe that one of our greatest FREEDOMS is how we respond. Choosing to calmly learn, choosing not to spread the panic, not leaning on our own understanding but seeking the wisdom to see when fear is being used to control us… those are responses that you are free to choose. There are many absolutely genuine concerns surrounding us. But we have a culture steeped in a specific deception that loves to interpret calm, measured, wise response as apathetic or naive. I am not indifferent. Nor am I starry-eyed about the state of the world. In fact, much of my response stems from the fact that I simply don’t expect a fallen world to mirror heaven.

I believe that deciphering what is real versus what is hyperbole and ultimately not allowing your “informed response” to morph into fear-soaked shouting is what living FREE of fear and FULL of meaningful action truly looks like.