Fear is not a thing that can be removed, like a cabbage from a fridge, a bowler from a cricket team, or a stain from a shirt.
The devil knocks on the door with one or more proposed future events: maybe possible, maybe definite.
He then proposes (a) that I judge these to be negative, i.e. that I disapprove of them, and (b) that I consider them unacceptable in some way, typically because they will cause pain I consider unacceptable or might cause collapse as I will not be able to 'cope'.
Essentially, we have a forecast plus two proposed attitudes: disapproval and non-acceptance.
If I reject the forecast, game over. If accept the forecast but either approve of it or consider it neutral, game over. If I accept the forecast, judge it negatively with disapproval, but accept it fully without resistance, game over.
For there to be a sale of the goods, I must accept all three elements.
Now imagine what I have bought to be a vacuum-cleaner. The vacuum-cleaner creates a noise only if I turn it on and push it around the room.
Fear, as an experience, is turning on the vacuum-cleaner and pushing it round the room.
Does God remove the fear?
God will do for me what I cannot do for myself but God will not do for me what I can do for myself.
What can I do for myself?
- Not answer the door when the devil calls
- Not buy his goods, which means
- Not accepting his forecast
- Not accepting his proposed disapproval
- Not accepting his proposed non-acceptance
- If I buy the goods, dispose of them
- Until I have disposed of them, not activate them
- If I activate them, deactivate them
- Provide me with a more rational outlook with which to regard the future
- Provide me with a new value system that encourages neutrality in the face of material threat
- Provide me with the direction and strength to handle material threat
- Provide me with opportunities for activities and mental occupations in the stead of fear