Years ago H. A. Williams was one of the leading preachers and theologians of the Church of England. He titled his autobiography, Someday I'll Find You. That may seem like an unusual title for an autobiography, but if you read the book it begins to make sense.

You see, there was a period in Dr. Williams' life when he was almost totally incapacitated by phobic anxieties. He was afraid to go into the streets and marketplaces, afraid of elevators and escalators, afraid to ride on trains or buses or subways, afraid of flying -- you name it, he was afraid of it! Eventually he became so overcome with fear that he was partially paralyzed, and it was only after years of psychoanalysis and treatment that he was able to conquer his fear and go on with his life.

Fear is one of the most controlling emotions of life. Most of us don't like to think of ourselves as fearful people. We prefer to think of ourselves as strong and independent, as though we had the world by the tail and are just waiting for it to say "uncle," as if we were capable of taking on all comers. "I am strong, I am invincible," to borrow a line from one of my all-time least favorite songs. It just ain't so, folks! None of us are "invincible," male or female. Every one of us, at one time or another has felt the cold grip of fear and felt helpless to do anything about it.