Hug the Monster of Fear by John Thurman
Without a doubt, fear is the most ancient, efficient, and effective security system in the world. Over many thousands of years, our magnificently wired brains have sensed, reacted, and then acted upon every imaginable threat.
Practically speaking, when you manage fear, your chances improve in almost every situation. However, if your alarm goes haywire, your odds plummet. For survival, then, here is the bottom line. If you are scared out of your mind, try to remember the concept of Hugging the Monster of Fear.
For several years I have had know several of the USAF’s PJ’s, members of the elite Pararescue force, and I profoundly respect them for the unique work that they do. That being said, the PJ school is located in Albuquerque, NM at Kirtland Air Force Base and in their training and in the Air Force Survival Schools mantra there is a well known saying: Hug the Monster. Wrap your arms around fear, wrestle it under control, and turn it into a driving force in your plan of attack.
The simple truth is that if we do not have a strategy to defeat fear it will defeat us.
Let me close with a couple of thoughts.
What will fear do it you fail to address it:
It can steal your energy.
Rob your mind.
Steal your dream.
What will fear do if you Hug the Monster?
It can energize you to accomplish more.
It will expand and open up your mind to new insights and possibilities
Expand and enhance your dream.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 NLB