Contained Versus Real fear
We often react to fear in a scary movie or roller coaster by giggling but real life fear can be debilitating. In a movie theatre or on a fairground ride I would suggest we are experiencing ‘contained’ fear, we know that we are safe but we get this vicarious feeling that we are overcoming and mastering our fear. At times thrill seekers substitute facing the real fears in their lives for contained fear. They check their harnesses, make sure they are secure and experience that which they are unwilling to face when the outcome is not so sure. Why do we have this love/hate relationship with fear? We seem to need it, but don’t really want to face it without being sure we are safe. Jesus had a great solution to real fear when he said ‘fear not for I am with you’. Invite someone to take a closer look at Christ and his church.
