WACKY WEDNESDAY WISDOM: No Need to Spew Your Fears Everywhere

     It was my junior year in high school. A warm, sunny day as I remember. It happened as I walked out of the cafeteria- with all my friends, peers, and classmates just having finished their lunch. Our high school cafeteria was a building on its own so everybody hung around outside in the quad area on nice days once they were done eating. I was one of the last ones to exit after lunch that fateful day, assuring that most of the school was there to witness the "event". Back to that in a minute.
     First a few words about fear. Everybody has a fear of something. Some people have lots of fears, be they irrational or otherwise. I, too, have my share of fears, though I will tell you that none of them disrupt my daily life or cause me undue anxiety. Here is a list of just some of the fears people have: Arachniphobia (the fear of spiders), Ophidiophobia (the fear of snakes), Acrophobia (the fear of heights), Agoraphobia (the fear of open spaces), Claustrophobia (the fear of closed spaces), Cynophobia (the fear of dogs), Trypophobia (the fear of holes), Alektorophobia (the fear of chickens), Gamophobia (the fear of commitment), Globophobia (the fear of balloons), Podophobia (the fear of feet), Catoptrophobia (the fear of mirrors), Scoleciphobia (the fear of worms), Kinemortophobia (the fear of zombies), and finally my two favorites- Phobophobia (the fear of fear- probably invented after President Roosevelt advised Americans that it was really the only thing we had to worry about) and Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia (the fear of long words).
     The event that took place that fateful day in 11th grade involved none of the above, but it may have contributed to an eventual phobia with which I battle to this day. It all started that day when four of us so-called cool baseball player guys decided to have a milk drinking contest at the lunch table. It evolved into a big deal as fellow students and even coaches and teachers began placing bets as to who would win. I convinced our baseball coach that no matter what, I would win. So he placed all his bets on me.
     Things started well. The wimpy first baseman stopped after five cartons of 8 ounce milk. Eventually, all that was left was chocolate milk but the three of us chugged on. The second baseman stopped at 8 cartons and slumped over in his chair. It came down to a head to head matchup between me and the pitcher. We were both stuck at 9 and doubled over in our chairs with our heads resting on the table as the ever increasing crowd loudly urged us onward. With every bit of energy and will power I had left, I reached for the last carton and downed it to a roar of approval from my coach and most of the junior class. (The losing pitcher was a senior).
     Money changed hands and back pats began raining down upon me. I remained at the table to recover for a few moments before deciding to head out, which made me pretty much the last person to leave. So when I exited the cafeteria door, everyone turned to applaud the victorious champion . . . but I didn't feel so good.
     Suddenly and without warning, I threw up in the courtyard with such violence and projection that my fellow students scattered in terror to avoid the ferocious liquid spray. A few seconds later, I exploded yet again, with equal velocity and volume. (Reminder that chocolate milk was involved). Everyone laughed hysterically as I slumped there in my misery. Everyone except my coach, who had to give the money back. One of the rules was: If you spew, you lose. Turns out three of us spewed, so the "wimp" who stopped at five ended up with the title and the money.
     I believe that was the beginning of my Emetophobia, the fear of throwing up. I can't stand to vomit. I'm scared of vomiting. I get angry when I vomit. The whole process terrifies me. Some people just go right ahead and vomit so they'll feel better. I'd rather be sick for three days and let it run its course than spend even one second staring into a toilet dreading the inevitable. Recently a major league pitcher threw up several times on and near the pitching mound during a game while thousands watched. I felt his pain.
     The Bible says in  Isaiah 41:10 (and a gazillion other places) that we are not to fear because God is with us, strengthening and upholding us. 2 Timothy 1:7 lets us know God has not given us a spirit of fear but rather a spirit of power and love and a sound mind.
     Tell that to Charlie Brown. In the famous Christmas special, Lucy diagnoses Charlie with Panophobia, the fear of everything. Maybe some of us are like Charlie Brown when God says we don't have to be. So Charlie (and everybody else), fear not because God is in control. Trust Him with all your heart. Oh, and while you're at it, go easy on the chocolate milk.