Faith Over Fear

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9

Dune, the 1965 epic Sci-fi novel by Frank Herbert which was later made into a couple films, tells the story of an heir to a noble family, Paul Atreides who lives on a desert planet that "produces" a psychedelic drug (the spice melange) from giant sandworms.  Paul is given tests to prove he can overcome fear by his mom's Mother Superior.  She is a wild-eyed woman who runs the convent where his mother was trained as weirdo-space-prophet nun.  During the test's mental torture and pain, he recites this mantra:

“I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.”

Paul uses his unveiled power of conquering his fears to help the people of his planet.  He eventually navigates the arrid environment with newfound bravery on the backs of the worms he rides like horses. In the end, *spoiler alert* Paul is the savior of his world.

Yeah, it is kind of crazy sounding, but the book is very good and the original movie is a 1984 sci-fi classic.

Another notable Paul is the writer of Timothy.  Like the Mother Superior of Dune, Paul guided the young Timothy, a new church leader, as a mentor, through his uplifting letters. Paul may not have ridden on the backs of worms, but he knew a few things about triumph over fear and anguish.