Ever since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, many Americans have worried that another attack may soon follow. For many people, concerns about potential terrorism have grown into outright phobias, and quite a few have required psychological help just to carry on their lives with some degree of normalcy. Elizabeth I was well aware of the overwhelming anxiety that could come from wondering when something bad might happen. She wrote:
“Our common adage which we have in England is a very good one: When one fears that an evil is coming, the sooner it arrives the better.”
Sometimes it seems as if Elizabeth was right. It often feels like it would be easier to handle an existing problem than to worry constantly about if and when a problem might occur.
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