WE Minute: Putting God in a Box

A Case for Fear

Don’t be afraid. Do not fear. No need to be anxious. God says things like this more than He says anything else. 

Easier said than done. It’s kind of like telling a person who hasn’t eaten not to be hungry. Or a kid walking through the leaves to pick up his feet. 

Fear isn’t a bad thing. Neither is a little anxiety. They are natural. A case can even be made that fear is a good thing.

To venture causes fear and anxiety, but not to venture causes one to lose one's self. And to venture in the highest is precisely to be conscious of one's self. 

–Søren Kierkegaard

A life without some fears or anxiety is a life without venture or action or possibilities or dreams. All future hopes include the possibility of failure or hurt. And a life without possibilities and dreams isn’t a life at all. No rewards exist without a few risks. Any economist will tell you that. And no risk can be taken without a little fear or anxiety.

Hiding. Inaction. Avoiding risks. Avoiding growth. Avoiding life. Avoiding fear. These are painful inactions that cause a person to lose oneself. Fear and anxiety have very useful functions, but like food, power, sex, and most other things – we can have too much of a good thing.

God says: This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. –Joshua 1:9

Excess fear and a surplus of anxiety use today’s resources and strength to carry the heavy weights of tomorrow’s real and perceived burdens and responsibilities. God’s words to Joshua are at once profound and powerful.

Courage – Be strong and courageous!

Courage is not the absence of fear. Courage is overcoming our fears. It is the belief that development, vision, and potential are more important than fear. Life shrivels or enlarges in proportion to one’s courage. 

Presence – For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Wherever. Whenever. Forever. Always. 

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me. –Psalm 23:4

God is bigger than our challenges. No obstacle is too big for God. And we are never alone. Ever. And because of His presence we can be courageous.

Fear and anxiety are natural emotions. An accelerated pulse and knots in our stomach tell us such is the case. The fear of fear leads to inactivity which leads to a life full of wondering what might have been had we attempted to become our true self. Being overwhelmed by fear, both real and perceived, paralyzes us and moves us into a cruel form of apathy. Inactivity and apathy are not included in God’s plans for our lives.

God’s presence makes life less daunting. Courage overcomes fears and anxiety and opens doors to abundance and fruitfulness.

Don’t let fear overcome you. Be strong and courageous. God is with you.

The best is yet to come…

Craig