Melting Our Fears

One of the pivotal scenes in the cinema classic, “The Wizard of Oz,” occurs toward the end when the Wicked Witch of the West sets the Scarecrow on fire. Dorothy, terrified of the Witch (which in reality is a dream where the witch represents a grumpy spinster Dorothy had encountered in real life), grabs a bucket of water and throws it on the Scarecrow to douse the fire. In doing so, she also drenches the Witch, and it is discovered that the water destroys the villain (can’t you hear her, “I’m melting! I’m melting!”?).

Author Seth Godin writes, “[Dorothy] finds the courage to overcome her fear when she’s generously supporting a friend.” (Seth’s Blog, Generosity and Fear, April 2, 2024)

When our intent to serve exceeds our fears, our fears are minimized.

Centuries before Dorothy’s example, the Apostle Paul wrote, “Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.” (Philippians 2:3 NLT)

I know from my own experiences, when I think of others, my fears melt.

Duke Stone
After 40 years in full-time ministry, I try to see how the little things in life speak big things about God. This blog is an attempt to share with you the many ways I see the love of God in the ordinary things of life.