Beals - I will not fear: my story of a lifetime of building faith under fire

I Will Not Fear is one of the most inspiring books we have ever read. Dr. Bealss writing is honest and compelling, and it is the kind of book you cannot put down. It should be required reading for every American. She brings to life every story and milestone on her journey in such a way that we cannot help but take it with her. Our deepest gratitude to her for sharing her terrorizing walk so that we have a window into what it means and what it takes to be a profile in courage.

Melba was blessed with an amazing grandmother, India, who through courageous determination in harrowing circumstances sought medical help for Melba and her mother at her birth. She instilled in Melba, during her first fifteen years of life, that her purpose here on earth was to fulfill Gods assignment for her, wherever that would lead her. It has often been said that if a child has just one person who has faith in them, they have a far greater chance of not only surviving but also thriving, regardless of their life circumstances. Melbas grandmother not only had faith in her but also passed on the gift of faith that would guide and sustain her the remaining decades of her life, particularly after Grandmother Indias passing. She gave her some of the greatest gifts one could give, including the lifetime gift of the certainty of Gods undying love for her and the precious gift of having God as her friend. She opened Melbas terrified young heart to the concepts of gratitude and, ultimately, forgivenesstwo of the most important aspects of being a free human being. Her grandmother also instilled in her the belief that God is with her alwaysand would be through lifeto help and guide her through any challenge she would face.

As one of the famous Little Rock Nine who first integrated the all-white Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, Melba was not only, quite literally, on the forefront of the desegregation movement in America but on the front pages of the major newspapers as well. She bravely entered the school, guarded by soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division and confronted with raging, violent, white citizens. This would become the testing ground of her faith. Physical and psychological threats, severe bullying, hatred, and bigotry surrounded her on all sides each day, fueled by the Ku Klux Klans very real, life-threatening influence. And she was only fifteen years old.

There was, and is to this day, a spiritual strength that allowed Melba to return to school each day in an environment filled with dread. The jeering by whites was so vicious and volatile that each moment held the threat of both psychological and physical harmeven death.

Gods plan for Melba also included healing her own terror of and prejudice against white people, so as to inspire others to do the same. God gave her the McCabe family, Quakers living in rural Santa Rosa, California. Bless that familys dear hearts, each and every one of them. They helped to heal not only a traumatized girl but also a divided nation.

We have known Melba for many decades and have shared each others journeys. She has an amazing charisma and is filled with power, kindness, gentleness, humor, and love. Over the years, multiple back surgeries created physical challenges. But regardless of lifes many obstacles, Melba has a way of bouncing back and moving forward. She is a wonderful reminder to us all that most of lifes limitations live in our minds and that, with God, all things are possible because our true identity is found in Christ.

Dr. Melba Pattillo Bealss internal journey in life is as extraordinary as her external one. She inspires us all to be true to our own path, an assignment from God that we never fulfill alone.

Gerald Jampolsky, MD, founder of Attitudinal Healing and author of many books, including the international bestseller Love Is Letting Go of Fear

Diane Cirincione-Jampolsky, PhD, founder of Attitudinal Healing International