Due To Circumstances Beyond Our Control

Due to Circumstances beyond Our Control

PROFESSIONALLY, I’m a marketing gal. I have owned my own marketing firm since 1994. Our specialty is consumer marketing; specifically in the area of technology. For those of you who have not worked in or who might not be familiar with the field of marketing, I define my function as this: to deliver a message to you that compels you to buy something. Now that message might be delivered in the form of a TV commercial, on a Web site, or in a magazine. The message could be as short as one word or might consist of thirty or so. But regardless of the delivery vehicle or the number of words, I will probably rely on FUD to motivate you.

FUD is a marketing term that was coined by Gene Amdahl in 1970 and is still widely used today. It stands for Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt, and it is the primary tactic used by marketing organizations and advertising companies to persuade you that you need—no, you must have—a certain product or service. You can easily recognize the tactic; just watch any commercial on women’s skin-care products featuring a model who is sixty but looks forty. That’s FUD.

I am often plagued by FUD—but not as a result of commercials or beautiful print ads. No, I allow fear, uncertainty, and doubt to enter my psyche when my insecurity gets the best of me or when I believe there are unpleasant circumstances beyond my control moving in my direction. Worry, of course, is the result.

Do you battle FUD too? Okay—then we should explore how worry can constrict us and thus prevent us from attaining our true vision and mission in life.

The LORD is my light and my salvation—so why should I be afraid? The LORD is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? (Psalm 27:1)

Because you can’t worry and move forward at the same time, we know one of them has got to go! You can probably guess which one I’ve had enough of.