There never lived a normal person who wasn't afraid of something, sometime. Some people have special fears which they never seem able to overcome. A popular singer is afraid of night. He once tried to justify a friend's heavy drinking by saying, "Anything, just to get through the night."

Scientists and psychiatrists have names for various fears. Here are just a few:

Fear of crowds is Ochlophobia. Fear of upcoming responsibility is Hypergyophobia. Fear of what might happen next is Neophobia, the fear of anything new. Fear of punishment for something you have done is Dikephobia, the fear of justice. Closely related to this is Hamartophobia, fear of the results of sin. Fear of what time will bring (old age, illness, business failure, etc.) is Chronophobia. Fear of death, propably the greatest worry of most people is Thanatophobia.

Normal fear helps us cope with dangers and to refrain from actions which will lead us into destructive situations. The best prevention to keep a normal fear from becoming a controlling anxiety is assurance of God's presence and guidance. Billy Sunday gave this good advice: "When fear knocks, send faith to answer the door."

Yes, send "faith to answer the door"! Claim God's promises such as , "Fear not, for I am with thee: be not dispayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness."