We live in scary times. The despicable murders of Israeli civilians by Hamas and the subsequent war in Gaza have displayed the gruesomeness of hatred and of war. We have witnessed the fears and then the debated responses that accompanied a global pandemic. The highest inflation in 40 years came swiftly after, crushing the long-fought financial efforts of so many families. And now the Iran-facilitated killing of American soldiers places America closer to open hostilities in the Middle East. Any with loved ones serving in the region must worry all the more about the safety of their children, parents, siblings, and friends in harm’s way. 

Fear makes sense. Many are gripped by it, even paralyzed by it. But we must ask: Is fear all we can wallow in during such difficult times?