Next, ask, What does this fear mean to me? How can I take steps that mean a change in my life so that I'm prepared IF my worst fear is realized?

For instance, when I became severely weakened four years ago by two MS attacks within a few weeks, my hus-band traveled three days a week and couldn't push me around the house in my wheelchair, we needed to rent a scooter for inside the home. As the weakness lifted some, I began my five-day weekly exercises gradually, and then the follwing year another MS attack hit me. When we saw I'd progressed some, we made plans to get a power chair for me to use when necessary.

But this brings up another step to managing fear--sometimes healthy denial of what might happen helps us live life more fully. Don't expect the worst. Don't dwell on what could happen. Live for TODAY!

And then, we must grieve losses that actually do occur and progression of our disease. This is not wrong--Jesus himself wept! It's healty to cry--it releases endorphins into our system that are healing, not the opposite. Once I grieved the need for the power chair for distances because I just can't walk far, I began enjoying the freedom it gives me.

Support groups, where we can talk about our fears, are helpful. And being honest with our family members if they're old enough is good as well--especially our spouse. He/she may need to share their fears. If they can't do so one-on-one with us, then a support group for spouses of ill partners can be a good outlet. It may be a place where they feel free to open up.

My most powerful antidote to fear is praising God because of WHO HE IS. When I focus my heart on praise I take my mind off myself and my fear. I'll open up to questions and comments now.

(Above is copyrighted material by Jo Franz September 2007)