“Fear can be overcome by preparation and faith”.

I want my kids to be able to think.

I mean really think.

I mean  – critically think.

I mean to question things.

Question motives, question rationale, use logic, and reasoning.

Seek truth and knowlege.

Because in order for them to make good choices, they need to be able to think properly.

But they need to learn how to think. If they don’t learn, they won’t be prepared to use their thinking skills and they might just follow blindly along.

That, I don’t want.

I’m ok with them making their own choices. Of course, they may make some choices I don’t agree with. But, even if I don’t agree with their choices, I want them to be able to defend their choices, provide their logic, their rationale and their reasoning. Then, they can be prepared to fight the fight, explain their reasoning, come up with the right choice for them, and not get led blindly along by others.

To be prepared requires work to be done. I love the quote “opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work“. We do need to do the work, put everything into it that we can. Learn, grow, THINK, and make decisions.

Then, and only then, does the principle of faith spring into action.

“Pray as if it were up to God. Work as if it were up to you”.

The two need to go hand in hand. After you prepare yourself and do the required work, then you can sit back and trust that things will work out the way they should. Have faith that you are standing in the exact spot you are meant to be in. Have faith that you are not forgotten, that you are loved, and that you are here for a purpose.

When you are prepared and armed with truth and knowledge, and you possess the skills to think critically and act with integrity, if you couple those skills with faith in yourself and your Maker, you have nothing to fear.

You can look fear in the eye and say “Get out of my way. I’ve got things to do”.