Today, US President Benjamin Harrison, who held office from 1889 to 1893, is not a prominent historical figure, but he does have at least two unique characteristics. For one thing, in 1888, he was the first incumbent President to run for re-election against former President Grover Cleveland. And a second distinction is that he was in office in 1891 when electricity was installed in the White House.
However, the President of the United States feared being electrocuted. So, he and the First Lady refused to touch the light switches. Thus, the White House staff had to follow them around to turn the lights off and on. To put it another way, the President of the United States was afraid of the unknown.
Occasionally, I, too, fear the unknown. Of course, for me, the object of my fear is usually indistinctly vague and often indefinable. Also, whatever it is, it’s frequently unexpected and unanticipated. In fact, what I fear may never materialize.
I even deal with fear on my spiritual journey, but should I? Not according to this verse: There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear. Does the verse mean that God’s love for me should eliminate fear? That makes sense since fear is a form of worry, and that trait certainly fouls up my relationship with the Lord.
Still, when it comes right down to it, why should I worry or fear at any time? After all, it’s so pathetically silly and useless. We see this when we realize that when light was readily available in 1891, the First Family somehow chose to cope with darkness in the era’s most luxurious residence.
When we experience God’s love, fear should not be an issue. God’s in control. He loves us, and that provides complete confidence—a reassurance we all can acquire when we concentrate on His love for us. When we do that, fear is not an issue.
Don’t let fear of the unknown ruin your life.
Anne Adams is a retired church staffer living in Athens, Texas, where she writes a historical column for the local newspaper. Her book Brittany, Child of Joy, tells about her mentally disabled daughter and was published in 1986 by Broadman. She has taught junior college history and has published in Christian and secular publications for forty years.