I do not like discussing politics. Never have and really dislike it these days. It has become so divisive. If you say anything someone doesn’t like, you get cancelled. Fear has taken over. And it pushes people to not only be fearful, but anxious. Political fear tells us to fear “the other.” Those who don’t think like us are somehow dangerous.

As we know, fear is triggered by a sense of danger. It can be protective when there is a real threat against you as it stimulates the nervous system to fight, flight or freeze. Our brain senses perceived danger. And while perceived danger is based on just that, a perception of fear, it also triggers the automatic response of anxiety.

This perceived fear happens more and more because politicians and media use fear to frighten us. For example, I saw a headline that said, if Roe V. Wade is overturned, female college students will stop attending college. Really? Regardless of your political stance, women will decide not to go to college based on a Supreme Court decision?  Another headline-Biden can no longer keep us safe. Again, absurd! Do I really believe the President keeps me safe? Both of these headlines are intended to raise fear and and anxiety. Why? So you won’t think, but simply react. Fear blocks our ability to think and reason. And the goal of political fear these days is to get you to make emotional decisions, not reasoned ones.

Political fear is also used to divide us into tribal groups–the “us” and “them.” This division shuts down communication and often gives rise to hate and violence. The more you isolate from those who are different, the easier it is to hate and mistrust them. Then, we end up only listening to those with whom we agree and thus, further cement the divide. We have stopped reaching across the aisle and prefer to cancel those with different perspectives. This is so dangerous because it stops us from finding common ground needed to get along in society.

Healthy people and leaders inspire us to manage our fears. They do not ignite fear. Remember the famous words of Franklin D. Roosevelt, “The only thing to fear, is fear itself?” Yet our national conversations seem to be more and more based in fear, not hope and overcoming. Fact, truth and judgment are replaced by fear and our mental structures are overcome by it. The well-known media mantra, “If it bleeds, it leads,” has left us soaking in a lot of blood.

So ask yourself, has feared caused you to stay silent, to not question, to not talk with those “others?” Is fear causing more strife? Does it help you sleep at night or encourage relationships?

“Fear Not” is found 365 times in in the Bible. Jesus tells us not to fear. He knows how damaging constant fear is to the body, soul and spirit. He reminds us that He is in control so we do not need to live in dread. We are urged to take  our anxieties and fears to Him, so that fear isn’t allowed to steal our joy. And love, not divisiveness, is what casts out fear. Take to heart these biblical prescriptions: Do not let your heart be troubled. Be strong and of good courage. He has overcome the world.

Remind yourself of these truths. Stop peace-stealing fear in its tracks.