Several years ago my wife, Sona, co-produced a movie called "Galaxy Quest" (Dreamworks, 1999). It's a family-friendly comedy with a great cast including Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver (of Alien fame) Alan Rickman (better known for playing the character Snape in the Harry Potter movies), Tony Shalhoub (Monk) and many more. The movie is a hilarious spoof of the widely popular Star Trek series, with Tim Allen playing the role of the captain of a spaceship, much like Captain James T. Kirk. The most famous line from the movie often quoted by Tim Allen to his crew when in peril is, "Never give up, never surrender!"

Over the years, this has become a favorite phrase in our home as well. When the going gets tough or adversity rears its ugly head, invariably one of us will enthusiastically say it out loud. It brings both levity to the situation and hope for a positive resolution.

As I've thought about this phrase recently, I've decided I'd like to expand it a bit: "Never give up, never surrender — to our fears!"

Fear often acts like some kind of an invisible cloak, permeating our society and our lives. Whether our sense of fear is triggered by world events or by our own thoughts, it can have a devastating impact on our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well being.

In most cases, the result of fear is a feeling of helplessness and hopelessness. There's never any peace that comes with fear.

While world events may be beyond our control, what about our own personal fears about our children, marriage, finances and health? Perhaps it is with these concerns that we can have the greatest impact. In my life and work I have discovered that the single most effective way to overcome fear and replace it with hope and optimism is through prayer. I realize this is not a very scientific method, but it continues to amaze me with its effectiveness.

Several times each week, it seems I have opportunities to practice getting out of the fear mode. Am I alone in this? My experience in working with people, talking to colleagues and friends and family members would say no.

I know that no matter how big and even legitimate my fears might be, there is One above it all. He is bigger, stronger and smarter than my fears. He loves to encourage and help us, and he only has one requirement: come unto him.

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Take the time to share burdens, fears, and insecurities with humility and faith through prayer, and then watch what can happen. Time and time again, I have personally witnessed an instant conversion from darkness to light, from fear to faith, from negativity to hope.

How it happens is not something I'm interested in understanding. But I do know why it happens: simply because He loves us and wants us to be happy and have peace in our hearts and minds.

So the next time fear comes knocking on your door, answer it with faith and prayer. You'll be glad you did.

Never give up, never surrender!

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