Fear Not…

” Courage is more exhilarating than fear and in the long run…easier!” Eleanor Roosevelt

Dear Reader:

” Fear not” is the most repeated commandment in the Bible. Obviously there is a reason for this…

Anytime fear is used in connection with God… it is synonymous with awe, reverence, and respect. And in our daily lives… don’t we all know people we admire ( from near or afar) … people we have a ” healthy” fear of… yet praise and want to emulate.

The ” bad” kind of fear… the crippling kind comes under the heading of being caught up in the ” spirit of fear” – letting fear control us… our lives. 2 Timothy 1:7 explains it best.” God hath not given us the ” spirit of fear” … but of power and love and a sound mind.”

Haven’t we all heard the quote: ” Do one thing every day that scares you.” This quote was mis-attributed to Eleanor Roosevelt -what she actually said was: ” You get strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop and look fear in the face.”

I couldn’t believe it when I saw this example photo because as a child I was simultaneously terrified and determined to ride the Ferris Wheel. I remember the day,time, and cousin who was with me when I got the courage to do so! When it stopped at the very top… the sense of freedom and exhilaration ( that swept over me) still remains with me! I had overcome my fear. …one of life’s greatest lessons!

Today I still fight fear awaiting medical test results and check-ups… and probably always will … but I do know I am not alone… and that is the greatest ” fear destroyer” around… no matter the results … God is holding my hand.

So until tomorrow…personally the best way I can fight fear is by starting each day grateful to be alive… couldn’t believe it when I found this special garden flag yesterday! I quickly placed it in my garden.

AMEN!

This week is Remembering Our Nurses’ Week! And who else would I remember but Linda Carson, my infusion oncology nurse who helped me fight my fears with her sweet compassionate smile. I cannot imagine going through all the initial treatments and procedures without her!

Little Eva Cate went with me ( and Mandy) for all my early chemo sessions and had ” fun” playing with Linda. Later Linda gave me my pillow to remember: Choose Happy!

Today is my favorite day-Winnie the Pooh

About Becky Dingle

I was born a Tarheel but ended up a Sandlapper. My grandparents were cotton farmers in Laurens, South Carolina and it was in my grandmother’s house that my love of storytelling began beside an old Franklin stove. When I graduated from Laurens High School, I attended Erskine College (Due West of what?) and would later get my Masters Degree in Education/Social Studies from Charleston Southern. I am presently an adjunct professor/clinical supervisor at CSU and have also taught at the College of Charleston. For 28 years I taught Social Studies through storytelling. My philosophy matched Rudyard Kipling’s quote: “If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.” Today I still spread this message through workshops and presentations throughout the state. The secret of success in teaching social studies is always in the story. I want to keep learning and being surprised by life…it is the greatest teacher. Like Kermit said, “When you’re green you grow, when you’re ripe you rot.”
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1 Response to Fear Not…

  1. Rachel Edwards says:

    ♥️

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