Some of you may already be familiar with the acronym for F.E.A.R. which is False Expectations Appearing Real. But what is FEAR? What does it mean to every person? When do you feel this negative emotion or thought that it sends shiver down your spine or creates goose bumps across your forearms or even causes your hair to rise from your scalp? What are you afraid of? Are you afraid of the dark? Are you afraid of getting lost? Are you afraid of getting sick, especially with COVID 19 during a pandemic? Are you afraid of anything or everything under the sun that you already have a phobia? Some of us have different kinds of fear. How we overcome this fear will affect our health and well-being. Fear paralyzes you and lowers your immune system. You become susceptible to common ailments and even chronic diseases if this fear goes unchecked for a long time. AND IF YOU WERE EVER DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER, there is always FEAR OF RECURRENCE or that somehow, somewhere or sometime in the future, you will again be stricken with cancer, even deadlier or worse than before because it has spread to other organs in your body.
According to Pi Villaraza, an author and founder of a successful international detox center in Puerto Princesa and an international healing eco-village in Bacungan, Palawan called Maia Earth Village, there are 2 cures for fear, namely, freedom and trust. But there are other ways to cast our fear. How would you cast out fear? From Deuteronomy 31:16, “Be brave and steadfast, have no fear or dread of them, for it is the Lord, your God who marches with you; he will never fail you or forsake you.” LISTEN You can cast out false belief when you listen to the truth. The truth will set you free. You are beautiful because you have been created in the image and likeness of God. Your body has been equipped to heal itself naturally. You just need to awaken the healer in yourself and talk to your subconscious. Don't ignore the signals that your body is giving you, especially when you're tired due to lack of sleep. You feel weak because you've been enticed to indulge in your craving for sweets instead of eating a healthy snack of whole fruit. OBSERVE . You can cast out evil thoughts and deeds when you observe God’s commandment and follow his statutes. Do good works and have positive emotions. Choose to be kind and see the goodness in others. Whenever you are tempted to gossip about a person or be judgmental, obey God's commandments to love God with all your heart, with all your mind, with all your soul and with all your strength and your neighbor as you love yourself. VOICE OUT You can cast out anger when you voice out gentle words. Learn to live in harmony and in peace. Whenever you feel like shouting, take a deep breath and count to ten so as not to let your emotions get the better of you. Don't let the sun set down on your anger. Settle a discussion through mutual understanding before you sleep at night especially if you have to spend the night together with that someone. EMBRACE You can cast out resentment when you embrace others, though not literally because you still have to do social distancing. Accept every person that you meet, regardless of age, religious belief or even political affiliation. Acceptance is the key to a life filled with happiness. Do not reject the people who want to help but instead understand where they are coming from. Feel the warmth under the mantle of protection from Mama Mary when you consecrate yourself to her and entrust your whole being to her with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Cast our F.E.A.R. (False Belief, Evil, Anger, Resentment) with L.O.V.E. (Listen, Observe, Voice, Embrace). Hope you can share so you can inspire others.