The Egyptian government had become anxious. Fear is a proper and helpful response to a known threat. Anxiety is an impotent response to a perceived threat at some distance in time. Jimmy Piersall was a center fielder for the Red Sox in the 1950s. His stats were good, but he was better known for his fights, arguments with umpires and crazy stunts. Part of the problem was his anxiety that he would fall short of his father's pressure on him to be a star. He showed some insight in his book, "Fear [anxiety] Strikes Out." The anxiety of the Egyptians was counter-productive. It is better to follow the teaching of Jesus and Paul: trust "your heavenly Father"; "Be anxious in nothing" (Matthew 6:26; Philippians 4:6).
Lord, please help us to face fearful situations with courage and to dissolve our anxieties in Scripture.
Freeman Barton, North Springfield, Vt.
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