I remember that as a small boy, I had a great fear of what I thought lived under my bed-ugly little creatures that would nibble on my toes. I was paralyzed in a fear that lasted for several years, until one night, I finally got up the courage to actually look under the bed with my flashlight. What did I find? Not what I expected! I was relieved to find socks, underwear, lost toys, but not what my mind had told me was there. This story illustrates the negative power of fear in our lives, and how it holds us back. We need to face our fears, take courage, literally looking under the bed.

Now granted, we have had some very scary things happen to us in recent weeks, and the fear we are feeling is not an entirely bad emotion. But we must move on to face those fears with resolve and courage-to not let our fear keep us from living full and free lives.

We must not make our decisions of what to do or what not to do, based on "what ifs...?" and fears, for to do that is to let the terrorists win. If you're planning to go on a trip, don't let the fear of flying scare you into not going. If you invested in the stock market before 9/11, don't let fear be the only reason you to decide not to do so now.

Many of you have seen the picture of the three firefighters raising the flag above the rubble of the World Trade Center, with these words: Resolve-Courage-Compassion-America. We are a great land, a country founded on these principles. We will not let fear hold us back; we will prevail! Have COURAGE, God is in control!