Fighting Fearনমুনা

WHAT IS FEAR?

Did you know that humans are only born with two innate fears: the fear of falling and the fear of loud noises? These are survival fears that trigger a fight, flight or freeze response in us. Therefore, all other fears are learnt, taught or developed. For example, if a child grows up watching their parents freak out anytime a grasshopper jumps across their line of sight, there is a good chance that the child will also develop an irrational fear of grasshoppers. Fears can be triggered by a wide range of dynamics, such as objects and their perceived danger, real or not. By future events based on imagined or worrying concerns. They can also be based on life-threatening experiences and the potential of pain. For some, it is simply the vast space of the unknown, such as the deep waters of the ocean, coupled with an overly vivid imagination highly influenced by the movie "Jaws." (Raise your hands if you are with me on that one?)

The four biggest fears most people struggle with are:

1. The fear of failure.
2. The fear of not being good enough.
3. The fear of disappointing others.
4. The fear of rejection.

Other fears include uncertainty, FOMO, change, losing control, being judged, getting hurt and death. These types of fears are all linked to some experience of emotional, psychological or physical pain and the concern that it may happen again. The fact that we are born into a fallen, broken world means that we all will, at some point or another, experience pain, which ends up feeding our fears and our need to try and control everything around us.

The Bible tells us over 300 times to "fear not" and uses 35 different words to describe the concept of fear, some even stating that fear is good. Let's take a look at three different fear contexts.

Isaiah 41:10: "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Proverbs 9:10 says, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom."

2 Timothy 1:7 says, "God has not given us a spirit of fear."

These three scriptures speak different messages about fear. Isaiah 41:10 clearly states that we should not fear anything except God because He is greater than everything. Proverbs 9:10 instructs us that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. This expression of fear is not about being afraid but having reverent awe and respect for his sovereignty. 2 Timothy 1:7, however, speaks about not being controlled or impacted by a spirit of fear that steals, kills and destroys.

As a counsellor, I hear stories of how painful life experiences, coupled with lies, result in crippling fears that rob and make people's worlds very small. It is safe to conclude that it is crucial to discern the roots of fear and know how to fight against the spirit of fear, which seeks to make our worlds very small. Understanding this type of fear is the goal of this reading plan.

Pray:

Lord, as I seek to walk this journey of fighting my fears with you, I pray for your protection, wisdom and discernment and for you to surround me with your truth.