Faith Forward with Jason McKnight: Fear carries a bullhorn
Every grade school field day has the same fixture: That one person in charge—usually the PE Teacher—with the bullhorn to amplify their voice so all will hear.
As I have counseled with folks, lived my life and read Scripture, it seems to me that most of us have a Bullhorn-toting voice in our lives. Most of us contend, at times, with voice that shouts so loud it stops us in our track.
The voice? A little thing called fear. Fear is a universal experience. A normal response to danger. Yet, fear can also be irrational, unnerving, and debilitating. Too often it grabs the bullhorn and demands more attention than we should give it.
Why do our fears amplify themselves? What can we do to limit their voice? Here are four characteristics that amplify fear when it starts.
First of all, fear is a visceral reaction. It arises within us when danger—real or perceived—presents itself. It’s our “first reaction.” Almost before we think of it. This doesn’t mean it’s the right response! Just know that every “first instinct” doesn’t have to be the final assessment.
Second, fear catastrophizes. It calculates the worst outcomes and highlights them. Your teen is out past curfew; it’s an accident. Your mom isn’t answering her phone; gotta be a stroke. While these are possibilities (otherwise we could discard them), a true tragedy almost assuredly hasn’t happened every time something is amiss.
Third, fear causes temporary amnesia. We forget all the good things that play into any situation. We forget that we walked through something similar just last year. Fear causes us to forget the whole picture.
Fourth, it’s contagious and infectious. For some reason, fear is catching. People seem to love to panic together. A leader’s fears are especially contagious.
The good news is that all four of these characteristics of fear are diminished with the same set of wise practices: Slow down. Take a few deep breaths. Count to five. Pray for clarity, wisdom, and help: “Lord, do you want me to be afraid right now? Help!”
Take captive every thought. In other words, measure this fear by what you know of all of life. Visceral, first-reactions usually are not right. This is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy—bring actions/reactions in line with what you know to be true in a situation.
Finally, as you talk to the Lord, listen to him as well. The Bible is filled with this message, “fear not!” Why? Because “perfect love casts out fear.” God watches over his people in love, and his presence is perfect. Even if he leads us into dangerous situations.
The world is dangerous. That’s unarguable. But, danger and fear are not the same. Fear is my subjective response to an objective danger. With God and his purposes at work in our lives, we can face danger without fear. The Psalmist says, “Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in you.” (Ps56:3). This is an invitation to double down on a Godward orientation, not a fearful one, in the face of danger!
Say goodbye to Fear’s bullhorn as the goodness of a powerful God floods our lives: whenever I am afraid, I will trust in you.
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