Is Irrational Fear Stealing Your Dreams?
The news cycle spins again and again. Running out of fresh video content, networks loop the same sensationalistic clips on a never-ending cycle.
Their plan?
To grab your attention long enough until they can sell you fabric softener during the next TV commercial.
There is no doubt that you’ll find crime almost anywhere if you search for it long enough.
But when things are exaggerated it’s does no one any good.
While some people are afraid of going to Israel and other Lands of the Bible, these are irrational fears.
If you want to be afraid to travel somewhere, you should certainly avoid the USA. From terrorist attacks to mass shootings to high crime rates, America is a far more dangerous place to be.
Just look at these crime statistics from NationMaster:
- Crime levels in the USA are twice as high as Israel.
- Drug use (opiates) in the USA are 90% more than Israel
- Violent Murder rate in the USA is eighty-two times higher than Israel
- Violent crime in the USA is more than twelve times higher than Israel
- Violent Crime (Rapes) in the USA are more than 68 times higher than Israel
- Robberies in the USA are more than 4 times higher than Israel
- Fear of crime in the USA is more than 77% higher than Israel
- Murders committed by youth in the USA are more than 633 times higher than Israel
Still, every year people pile in by the millions to one of the most dangerous developed countries in the world – the USA.
(For our Canadian readers: Canada’s crime statistics are similar to Israel, aside from Canada’s murder rate, which is 3 times higher than in Israel)
How about Middle East tensions? Travel writer and blogger, John Nicholson says it well:
“While we in the United States have only had marginal success developing our own missile defense systems dating back to the days of the Star Wars initiatives under President Reagan, Israel has implemented a system of both tight border and air security that allows Israelis to now go about their daily lives under a blanket of relative calm, stability, and security. For tourists to Israel, this means that visiting the country and even traveling around within it is completely safe, despite the occasional incident or flare up that makes the news back home.”
Is the USA safe? Yes, if you use wisdom, keep your eyes open and stay away from the rougher parts of town. Is Israel safer than the USA? Yes, without a doubt. The statistics prove it.
How sad it is when sensationalistic news reports and unfounded fears keep people back from experiencing one of the highlights of their lives; a life-changing journey to the Lands of the Bible.
Has CNN caused you to cower in a corner? Are you setting aside a life-long spiritual dream because of irrational fears?
Maybe it’s time to live life to the full again. Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” – John 10:10 NIV
A fullness of life and a prison of fear cannot co-exist. It’s time to swing wide those prison doors!
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” – 2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV
