Names of God

God. This comes from one word and two of its compound or forms and will mean accordingly: (1) The Strong One used 225 times in the Old Testament; (2) The Strong One as an object of worship; (3) The Strong One who faithful and, therefore, to be trusted and obeyed. This last is a plural term and is used 2300 times in the Old Testament...It was by this name that God the Trinity was covenanted for the good of man before man was created. 
--The Bible Book by Book: A Manual for the Outline Study of the Bible by Books. Josiah Blake Tidwell

I love this; that one of God's names means the Strong One. 
There are so many fears in this world. Some truly are terrifying---facing cancer, terrorist groups, gang rapes. Some are lesser fears, spiders, looking for a job, etc.,etc. Each of us puts our fear into a different category. Terrifying for me would include dental work, as I hate being strangled. Terrifying for someone in China might be having their home church discovered. Or, in the Middle East, the man walking down the crowded street may have a bomb. Or in Chicago, USA, there might be a murderer standing right next to me. 
There are fears everywhere, some cripple us to our knees. Scientifically, we know that stress is hard on the heart, tiring it out as it races to beat no one in a race for life. I sometimes wonder if it is fear that kills us...fear being the sin that seems to be the hardest to escape. 
We don't have to be afraid. The Strong One paid the price for us, we belong to Him---every single molecule. When we are facing hard, scary things, all we have to do is call on Him. Ask for His great strength. Ask for His great peace. 

There were many times when I drove to college those first years that I drove in circles around different roads, trying to get the confidence to face those who terrified me at college. I prayed. I cranked up "Call on Jesus" by Nicole C. Mullins as loud as the radio would go. I would sing/shout those words until tears streamed down my face, soaking the top of my shirt. Fear was a powerful enemy, nearly strangling me. 
I remember the times that He helped me, sent a calming attitude over me. I could face people who had hurt me in the past and present. I could do it, by the power of God. 

Something is always frightening in life. The frightening things, though, are often controlled by the Prince of the Air (Satan's other name). We, however, can get strength, peace, wisdom, joy and love from the Strong One---the One who has won the battle and only needs to hang the award on the wall. Then we will all be in Paradise. .........But before that, just remember when you are frightened, and you are asking for help from God--not even sure you will get it---that this is God! This is indeed the Strong One, and He has won the battle and will give you such amazing peace, strength, wisdom, joy, wonder....that fear will vanish like mist.