What are we afraid of?

What are we afraid of?

Does anyone remember that feeling of total freedom?  
Remember the wonder of the world around us in all of God's creation?
What about running against the wind?
Or tasting the rain on your tongue?
And even falling down in the deep snow?

I remember it all well.  The feeling of the sun on my face.  Lightning bugs in the night.  The cool breeze in your window as you slept.  I miss those days.
That was a time of real freedom.  Freedom from fear.  I think we have lost sight of really living free.  We walk around in fear.  Fear of other people.  Fear of what people think of us.  Fear of what people might say about us.  What are we afraid of really?  Is it surely other people or ourselves that we are afraid of?
Are we afraid to live our life freely and just be ourselves?
Friendships are different today than 30-40 years ago.  We weren't "afraid" to be friends.  Today it seems we hold others at arm's length; not allowing anyone to get too close.  Why?  Trust is not an option anymore.  Why are we so afraid to let others in?  Do we feel unworthy to have good friends?  Do we play the blame game?  Or perhaps the "no one will ever hurt me again" card. 
What are we really afraid of?
Living?  Dying?  Suffering? 

We truly have no reason to fear. 
We should live fully in Christ and trust in Him. 
The Lord is with us and He has blessed us with so much.
Who cares that we are not perfect?
Why do we worry about what we look like or where we live or how much we make?
Let's live again in the freedom of who we are and not who we think we should be.
If we strive to please others, we become most miserable.
Be real.  Be true.  Be a friend.

Luke 12:32
Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

John 10:10
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

John 15:12
This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

1 Peter 2:17
Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

2 Timothy 1:7
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Mark 4:40
And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?

Father God, I pray for the freedom that is found in living this life fully.  I pray that we will cherish our friends and not worry about what others think.  I pray that we will live life abundantly through Christ.  I pray we will be who you called us to be.
I pray we will love one another in true freedom.
Amen.