I know that the title of this article is somewhat different, but then it's meant to be. For those of the older generation, no, it has nothing to do with Elmer Fud of the Bug's Bunny cartoons, though Elmer might know what this is all about.

I was reading a blog the other day and the author described "The FUD Factor" (by Captain Bart). He used it as an acronym for FEAR, UNCERTAINTY, and DOUBT. He was dealing with the topic from a non-religious point of view, but he made the point that we cannot allow these feelings to be what controls us. Rather than fearing the future, we must realize that sometimes bad things do happen and do our best to prepare for them.

Of course you can see how I saw this as a perfect application for us as Christians. We cannot allow the FUD factor to control our lives! We find recorded in the scripture 144 times the words "fear not" (KJV). God is constantly telling someone not to be taken in by the FUD factor. Rather we must learn to trust in the one who can overcome all things!

Jesus said:

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father's care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows (Matthew 10:28-31 NIV).

Fear, then Uncertainty! How can we claim to have a believing faith if we let uncertainty rule our lives?

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see (Hebrews 11:1 NIV).

I'm going to do my best to put my trust in our almighty God!
Fear, then uncertainty, then doubt! James writes about our prayers to God and says:
But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind (James 1:6 NIV).

I don't know about you, but I'm going to do my best to put my trust in our almighty God! Notice just a few words of encouragement:

The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior — from violent people you save me (2 Samuel 22:3 NIV).Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face (Job 13:15 NIV).The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold (Psalm 18:2 NIV).