Forty Days Without FearНамуна

OVERCOMING FEAR OF ‘THE OTHER’ 

Our world is divided. There are people on the Left and others on the Right; Liberals and Conservatives; meat-eaters and vegans; people we think are right and people we think are wrong. 

For fear of ‘being conformed to the world,’ we can build up barriers and stop communicating with people we perceive to be on the other side of our point of view. This creates more tension and division. We end up living in fear of the very people we’ve been called to love!  

In God’s Kingdom view of the world, there is neither Jew nor Gentile, slave nor free, nor male and female: A world without labels, scapegoating, or fear of the person on the ‘other side.’ This is Kingdom culture not ‘cancel culture.’  

We first and foremost acknowledge God’s image in everyone. We marvel at the wonder of each human being as a unique creation of God, beyond gender, race, sexuality, political standpoint, or any other label. We treat everyone with same dignity, grace and honour that God extends to us. 

Rather than splitting the world into winners and losers, people who are right and people who are wrong, let’s see everyone as made in God’s image, a potential friend rather than foe. 

Action: Let’s consider any walls, barriers or divisions active in our lives. Think of someone we are fearful of, or struggling with, and bring them before God. What does He want us to know? Pray into what He says and act on any convictions He brings.