Fear of Thinking

Maybe it’s the age of instant information that has set us back in our ability to devise free thought. Perhaps it is the scariness of standing out from our crowd that has stopped our willingness to speak about original thought. Political correctness is always putting us in our place and prevents us from perusing what our hearts know to be true.

Whatever it is, many people today are afraid to think for themselves.

Freedom of speech has become the accepted mode for trash talk and insults, but has lost its power to protect speech about what is morally acceptable.

The Constitution’s First Amendment was composed so that individuals have the right to speak of what they believe. Our current climate considers the sharing of beliefs to be an infringement on the rights of others, so please don’t speak of God or prayer. Don’t stand for the National Anthem. Whatever you do, don’t suggest that life isn’t always fair.

I do believe that all men and women are created in God’s image and that we all have innate goodness and value. It is so hurtful to our race (the human race) to see the derogatory speech and actions of those who don’t think they are being treated fairly. Vandalism, theft, and assault are, and never will be, means for acceptable expression. You can’t heal pain with hurtful actions.

Recently I was asked, “Well, why does God let bad stuff happen, if He is so good?” My reply was this, “God loves us through the bad. The devil is always alive and well and keeps his hands in everyone’s business. God can’t stop the devil. It is up to us to prevent the devil’s work from succeeding.”

We have to allow ourselves the freedom to know what is good and right. We must empower ourselves to demonstrate what is just and decent. We must educate ourselves on the facts when something moves us. Please do not let blurbs on the news move you to bias yourself against individuals or entire cultural groups. Free your heart and mind with understanding and consideration for the value in each person.

Thomas Paine wrote these words almost 250 years ago. They ring loud and true today. Freedom and prosperity will only come to us if we set ourselves up for success. The only things we should rebel from are indecency, hatred, and injustice.

Break away from quick judgments and stereotypes. Provide yourself time and patience for reasoning past your problems and the difficulties you face with other people. Do not let bias enslave your decision-making processes. Do not become a victim of limited thought because of the fear of judgement from others.

Set your Intentergy free as you allow yourself to know and act with goodness and virtue. Put your energy into establishing values that enhance your life. Dedicate your intents to enriching and educating those around you.

By: Melanie A. Peters

P.S. 1 Timothy 6:12 “Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”