Before I developed faith-based indices, I was the product manager of fear-based ones, including VIX, Wall Street’s “fear gauge.” I wrote this article many years ago when I was at S&P Dow Jones Indices and overseeing volatility-based indices, in partnership with Cboe Global Markets.

In the past few days, VIX and fear have spiked to levels not seen since the Global Financial Crisis of 2008–2009. This is a good time to remember that faith is the opposite of fear, and that one of the commandments God has most often repeated to those who believe in Him is to be not afraid. One scripture I love with this counsel is Joshua 1:9:

“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”

Faith is practical. It lengthens our perspective and helps us make thoughtful, high quality decisions. Fear, on the other hand, can induce decisions that lead to regret. Literally and figuratively, we divest too early, before the blessings come.

May we all live with less fear and greater faith.

Learn more: https://www.indexologyblog.com/2014/02/04/whats-a-normal-vix-level/