Fear can loom large in our lives. Sometimes the troubles and dangers and threats lined up against us overwhelm us, terrorize us. Sometimes fear takes the driver’s seat in our lives, steering our attitudes and actions, dominating our decisions, as if fear is calling all the shots. Sometimes we may hear Jesus’ words about the trouble we’ll face in this world and think: “No thank you. I didn’t sign up for this!” Sometimes we may wonder whether God really will bring good through this experience of fear.