Fear

FEAR

        This painting by Edvard Munch, called The Scream, is a good illustration of Fear.  Although Larry is having a bit of fun miming the center of Munch's painting, Fear is a very serious emotion that haunts many, many people.

         Edvard Munch himself was one of those people.  In an exhibit on Munch at the Chrysler Museum in Norfolk, VA, it was written:  "Not only did he suffer from anxiety and panic attacks, he was tormented by paranoia, delusions, crippling grief and pronounced alcoholism."

         How very sad!  At least he used his art to help express his feelings and I hope that was of some comfort and help to him.  

          My granddaughter went with me to the recent exhibit and tried to capture a bit of Edvard's famous painting with her expression (below):

     She wrote a short piece to be added to a board on the wall of the exhibit, entitled "How can creative outlets help in the healing process?"  I was proud of the entry she added to the hundreds of others on the wall:

       At this particular time in our nation's experience, there seems to be a far greater climate of Fear than we've had since the Fears following the tragedy of 9-11.  I'm reminded of a wonderful Bible verses, written by Paul to Timothy, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind" 1:7.

        As we go through the paces of dealing with an enemy we cannot even see (a tiny virus), God tells us to seek the power of the Holy Spirit, a heart of love and a sound mind about the future.  That sure beats a spirit of fear!

      Here's one more picture from a recent exhibit at the Chrysler Museum.  This one is called "Freaked Out..." by Dan Dailey, part of his Vitrolite Wall Mural Series (2012).  The woman definitely looks freaked out and Dailey did a good job capturing that expression.

      Both this mural and Munch's painting remind me of the words of Henry David Thoreau when he wrote, "The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation" (from his book Walden).

       There is certainly danger in our vast, sinful world, and we need to live wisely and carefully, but we can also live with a "sound mind" through the peace that our Father offers us.  And feelings of desperation will evaporate as we rest in the loving embrace of that same Father.  I'll close with a few verses that remind us Who is in control and Who we can count on when the going gets tough:

"You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You" Isaiah 26:3.

Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" John 14:27.

Jesus said, "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" John 16:33.