Fear Factor – Part 2

My last post ended with the idea that a healthy dose of fear can be our friend.

It helps you to be more cautious, more attentive and less inclined to do reckless things.

On the flip side of the coin, fear can also be our worst enemy—one that seeks to capture and control us.

From personal experience, the fear of being rejected by your peers can make you do dumb things.

In high school, I spent most of my time with three very smart and vivacious girls—they were my tribe.

One girl was from a Croatian background with tight brown curly hair and the body of string bean. Another was a German bombshell blessed with voluptuous curves; a brunette with straight hair which fell down to her hips. And the third had Irish heritage, blonde wavy hair, blue eyes and alabaster skin.

I was, and still am, caramel skinned, dark haired with almond shaped eyes.

My friends and I looked nothing alike, thanks to God, who loves variety in his creation.

Our high school comprised of over 800 students. So, on photo day, one of my friends suggested that all four of us ‘sneak’ in an official family photo, for a bit of a joke.

When the line up for family photos was called, we joined in the queue. I felt troubled by this, but I didn’t want to disappoint my best friends.

I gave in to the pressure.

We made it to the front of the line, and my Croatian friend boldly told the photographer that we were adopted and were all part of one happy family.

The photographer’s eyes softened. I think she felt sorry for us. Snap, snap, snap and the photo shoot was done.

We went back to class, giggling triumphantly.

Looking back, I realized how my desire to fit in, and not upset the status quo, had made me weak. I took part in something that I didn’t really want to do. We’d lied, and made a fool of the photographer. Besides this, we broke school rules.

Fear was not my friend. Fear was my enemy.

Weeks later, when we received the photo, our classmates cheered at our success for pulling it off.

On closer inspection of our ‘family’ photo, I’m smiling at the camera rather awkwardly. It must have been all the guilt.

It’s true what the Bible says, “The fear of man bringeth a snare.”    Proverbs 29:25a

Fear can trap and control us in other ways.

Like most kids, I loved to eat lollies and chocolate. I was taught to practice good oral hygiene and I dutifully brushed my teeth every morning and night. When I was ten years old, the sugary treats got the better of me.

I felt a throbbing ache that just wouldn’t quit, radiating from a back tooth.

Too scared to front up to the dentist, I put up with the pain for days, hiding my condition from the rest of my family until it became unbearable.

My dad almost had to hog tie me to make me get into the car to go to the dental surgery.

The dentist was not kind, in fact, he scolded me for not seeing him earlier, as the cavity was quite large and he could see problems stemming from it in my future.

Fear had paralyzed me from getting help when I needed it.

Fear can be debilitating when it prevents us from taking healthy risks.

We are too scared to fail.

Heidi was ear marked to run in the 200m race for her team, The Emus. She knew she’d be up against, Monika and Sinead from the most despised house, The Broncos. They had both flogged her in the 100 dash, leaving her with a third place ribbon.

Heidi started limping, complaining of a sprained ankle and put on her best Oscar award winning performance to a race official before the start of the 200m run.

She pulled out of the race with a fake injury.

As John Chrysotom put it, “The danger is not that we should fall. . . But that we should remain on the ground.”

We miss opportunities for growth when we won’t even rise to the challenge.

We deny ourselves from God’s blessings when we’re too afraid to accept them.

But how do we overcome our fears?

“The adventurous life is not one exempt from fear, but on the contrary, one that is lived in full knowledge of fears of all kinds, one in which we go forward in spite of our fears.”  Paul Tournier

As Christians, we should always remind ourselves that we never have to face our fears alone. We have friends and family in the body of Christ that are more than willing to help us.

More importantly we have God himself. Isn’t one of the names of the Holy Spirit, Helper?

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter (Advocate, Helper), that he may abide with you for ever;        John 14:16

God tells us that we should load all our fear, worry and anxiety on him because he loves us. 

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.  1 Peter 5:7

We need to remember who we really are in Christ.

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.  Romans 8:37

One of my favourite verses that comes to mind whenever I’m anxious is in Isaiah 41:10

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Earlier I brought your attention to the first part of Proverbs 29:25, but it’s important to examine the second part of the verse.

The fear of man bringers a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

So get out there and move forward, in spite of fear, knowing that the Lord is with us.