The great evangelist Billy Sunday once said, "Fear knocked at my door. Faith answered...and there was no one there." That's the proper response to fear. Our worst imaginations almost never happen, and most worries die in vain anticipation.

Fear holds you back from flexing your risk muscle. It's been said that worry is a darkroom where negatives are developed. Like a rocking chair, it keeps you going, but you don't get anywhere.

Most of our fears can be traced back to a fear of man. But the Bible says that " The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom then shall I be afraid?" (Ps. 27:1). People would worry less about what others think of them if they only realized how seldom they do. They are wondering what you're thinking of them!

Most people believe their doubts and doubt their beliefs. So do like the old saying and "feed your faith and watch your doubts starve to death." Many people are so filled with fear that they go through life running from something that isn't after them. Fear of the future is waste of the present. Fear not tomorrow. God is already there. Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.

Don't be afraid to be you.

- John Mason, from the book You're Born An Original, Don't Die A Copy. (To find out more about this book, go to www.freshword.com/resources)

John Mason is a national best-selling author, nationally recognized speaker and book coach.

He has authored fourteen books including An Enemy Called Average, Youre Born An Original-Dont Die A Copy, Let Go of Whatever Makes You Stop, and Know Your Limits-Then Ignore Them which have sold over 1.4 million copies and have been translated into twenty-five languages throughout the world.

"I have posted a special message for you to see on my website http://www.freshword.com. In it I talk about right associations and the effect they can have on whether you succeed in life or not. Your best friends should bring out the best in you! If you are an author, or want to be, I have many resources specifically designed for you. Also, make sure to sign up for my Nugget of the Week - I would love to inspire you." - John Mason