Fear is misplaced faith
I’m afraid I’m not good enough. I’m afraid I’ll screw up. I’m afraid of damaging my reputation. I’m afraid of losing my power. I’m afraid of disappointing people. I’m afraid of losing my job. I’m afraid if I lose this job I won’t be anything. I’m afraid for my health. I’m afraid of death. Everyday life gives us endless distraction from these fears – in fact, the busier the better. I can be plenty angry at the driver who just cut me off on the motorway, for example, without realizing he triggered my fear of not being respected (i.e., powerful enough). I can be productively checking items off my to-do list without noticing that only by performing do I mask a fear of not being good enough. I can be caught in ambivalence around a tough decision without fully seeing how my fear of people being angry at me paralyzes my thinking. God says don’t be afraid for I am with you. Invite someone today to take a closer look at Christ and his church.
