God Conquers the Fear of the Unknown

It is a clear and evergreen morning in Fogelsville where all is calm. I hope your day is going well. If it is, make this a blessed moment and thank God.

It was September in 1948, and I was five years old. We lived two blocks from Saints Philip and James Parochial School, in Phillipsburg, New Jersey. And it was my first day of kindergarten.

My grandmother, Donna Maria Gazzana Arangio, was also my “mother” since mine had passed away three weeks after my birth (that’s another story). At the time, Donna Maria was a 62-year-old Sicilian immigrant, a stout and stern woman, who spoke a little English with a heavy accent.

My “mom,” in her cotton flowered dress, and I walked hand-in-hand up the many concrete steps to the entrance of the school with enormous oak double doors.

Once through the doors, Donna Maria passed fearful “Georgie” off to Sister Mary. Sister was also a stout woman with a stern face who wore the black habit of the “Sisters of Mercy.” The exchange was matter-of-fact with no emotion.

As the big oak double doors with large glass panes closed, I was left behind as my mom walked away. It didn’t seem like a garden to me, and this Sister of Mercy did not appear merciful.

Now imagine a well-fed five-year-old, from a Sicilian-American home facing this scary, unknown person dressed in what appeared to be a Halloween costume without a mask.

Was I fearful? You bet!

I wanted out, so I cried loudly. As I wailed, I wondered, “How do I get out of here?” and the answer became clear as I ran to escape through the big front door.

Fear is partially instinctive and partially learned in humans, and we are born tribal. Tribes fear other tribes, and tribes fear the supernatural unknown. We need security from unknown people and things. In life, we search for love, peace, and joy. Mothers add earthly security against natural fears. The mother is the most loving, most valuable and trusted nurturer of the family. I trusted my “mom” more than anybody.

Back to the story.

I thought, “How do I get out of here?” The chubby tribe boy sought freedom from both the unknown and from Sister Mary.

What I really needed was my mom. Thankfully, mom had heard my cries and had looked back. She slowly turned around, re-opened the door, took my hand, then looked sternly at Sister Mary. That’s when I knew I was free. I brushed away my tears and hugged mom. I was happy to have been rescued.

Truth is, I “skipped” kindergarten altogether and started first grade in September 1949, one year later.

Such experiences are common because fear is an old story for humanity. God created Adam and Eve. Human events transpired, and paradise was lost. We are tribal; we are imperfect, and God gave us free will. This is a challenging combination. As human beings, we search for relief from fear of both physical danger and spiritual death in Hell. This fear can prevent us from achieving our goals and may cause anxiety. At the extremes, fear may paralyze us.

Christianity offers relief from such fearful extremes. Christianity provided a social safety net and made life in Greco-Roman cities tolerable because Christianity gave the slaves hope. The driving force was the faith in the supernatural resurrection of Jesus, the Messiah, the same God of Moses. Among the oppressed, His victory over death and “the world” nurtured the faith and led to hope. Have there been bad things and materialism in Christianity over the years? Yes. Remember, regardless of station, we are tribal, imperfectly human, and God gave us free will.

Due to this expression of free will, especially in the current day, a secular bipartisan extremism has been tearing at the fabric of the nuclear family in the USA. This extremism, based on the fear of the unknown, has increased exponentially and has threatened the core of our democratic republic. Children and teenagers who use social media are particularly vulnerable in modern society.

How do we conquer the causes of fear in life? We look to the Word of God:

“Fear not them which can kill the body but are not able to kill the soul [spirit]: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body as well in hell.”

Matthew 10: 28

Scripture assures us that God adds supernatural security against spiritual fears. Without Jesus, humans will continue to search for security from fear.

Material things are not the answer. We need God. Faith in Jesus leads to hope. Hope leads to acts of love, giving, and service. Serving others is a proven way to boost our mood and build our conscience and confidence. Faith, hope, and giving strengthen our own self-worth.

We must know God. We must reach out and stay connected with family and friends and like-minded people. We, all humankind, need to know the supernatural Jesus and claim His strength.

The book We Talk with God will reveal easy secrets in God’s own words. In it, you will learn that we are saved by faith and that Jesus was born to die as payment for our sins. He promises that you and the “Georgie’s” of the world will overcome their fear of the unknown. No one else can do that for us. Jesus said, that if you would call on Him that He would save you. (Romans 10: 9) It is that easy. 

Have a blessed day, and may it be full of successes guided by God.

Until next time, God bless you and stay well.

George A. Arangio, M.D.

P.S. Keep We Talk with God at your bedside and share it with your family.

P.P.S. Please ask three (3) of your family and friends to read We Talk with God. It may be the answer to their prayers. And give a rating and a review. Thank you.

Summary:

In September 1948, five-year-old George faced his first day of kindergarten with fear, comforted only by his Sicilian grandmother. This personal story transitions into a broader reflection on human fear, the need for security, and how Christianity provides spiritual comfort. The essay underscores faith in Jesus as essential for overcoming fear and finding hope.

George A. Arangio, M.D., is the author of We Talk with God, a scripture-based guide to God’s advice that will boost your spiritual energy, bring you peace, and enrich your life. It is full of simple lessons. It shows how God’s Word guarantees answers to life’s important questions. It may also be the answer to your prayers. Please read it and write a review on Amazon.com. For further insights and discussion, visit WeTalkWithGod.com.