Fear creates a form of spiritual amnesia. It dulls our miracle memory. It makes us forget what Jesus has done and how good God is.

The parched soil of fear needs steady rain.

God is always near us. Always for us. Always in us. We may forget him, but God will never forget us.

You wanted to know how you'll make it on your own?" Manny asked as the sights and sounds of the lush Jerusalem garden gave way to the sterile hospital chapel. "You'll never know. Because you never will be.

Lay claim to the nearness of God. Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you (Heb. 13.5 NIV).

When safety becomes our god, we worship the risk-free life. Can the safety lover do anything great? Can the risk-averse accomplish noble deeds? For God? For others? No. The fear-filled cannot love deeply. Love is risky. They cannot give to the poor. Benevolence has no guarantee of return. The fear-filled cannot dream wildly. What if their dreams sputter and fall from the sky? The worship of safety emasculates greatness. No wonder Jesus wages such a war against fear. His

When you see the torches and feel the betrayer's kiss, remember the Father's words: "I will never leave you; I will never abandon you."20

We have a heavenly Father who is with us through every trial.

We fear saying the wrong thing or using the wrong tone or acting the wrong way. So rather than do it incorrectly, we do nothing at all.

You will never go where God is not.

Good days. Bad days. God is in all days.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you" (Isa. 43:2 NIV). You may be facing the perfect storm, but Jesus offers the perfect peace.