The Wet Blanket of Fear!

We visited door-to-door Saturday, what we call "Cold Turkey" Evangelism. It is an essential part of our ministry and we schedule it for Tuesday night, Wednesday morning and Saturday afternoon. But it is hard to get people to visit with us. Fear of others, I think is the main problem. We have the medicine for this disease: ( For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Tim 1:7). Unfortunately, many would rather live in fear than take their medicine!

Not only does it affect our visitation, but our classes at Puerto Rico Baptist College. I tried to buy some test tubes and flasks for our chemistry class but was told by a store owner that they were illegal to sell in Puerto Rico.

"Why are test tubes, flasks and such things illegal to sell here?" I asked.

"The government is afraid chemistry equipment might be used to make and process drugs." Complained the store owner.

Well, no kidding! The government is right. Drug dealers are using test tubes and such things in drug labs. But, since the law was passed, I have not noticed any drop off in drug activity around here! It just makes us have to by used science equipment on Ebay!

Fear is a major hindrance to missionary work, an impediment to exploration and a wet blanket that snuffs out sparks of enthusiasm. A spirit of fear can suck all the joy right out of living. Let's take our medicine and get over it!

PS

I read a GREAT article on the national sickness of "risk aversion" from a mothers point of view, a mother who felt she was being manipulated towards having an abortion, just because she was older and of what might happen. Here is an excerpt and the link if you want more:


(“Don’t You Want to Be Prepared?”
I don't want to sound unpatriotic, and I realize that this is not a wildly original point, but there is something creepy about how risk aversion has become a kind of unofficial American creed. It's creepy in the way that it has crept stealthily into our national life, and creepier still in its sinister, innumerate, fear-fanning, joy-squashing effects. There have been days lately when I have caught myself wondering aloud, "Can we really be the people who settled the Great Plains?"