Redefining Fear

Tuesday, January 18

Redefining Fear

But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm. Proverbs 1:33

I recently read something which said “behind every fear there is a lie” In other words, fear comes from believing lies. While this is sometimes the case, I do not think it is the case all the time. Fear is often said this way, False – Evidence – Appearing – Real= F.E.A.R. Emphasis on the false part here. Recently I was thinking, is this always true?

I mean there are some things we face which aren’t false, it’s real. The pink slip you received at work, its real. The report from the doctor’s office, it’s real. The trouble that you are facing in your marriage, with your kids or your finances, yeah it’s real. So how do we reconcile the two?

This is a good reminder not to leave God out of the equation. The definition above is the world’s definition of fear. The followers of Christ define fear as it is written in Philippians 4:13 “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” It is when I catastrophize – overestimating the danger and underestimating my ability to cope through the strength of God.

When we define fear with the power of God, it is an understanding of who God is in relation to us and our situation. It recognizes the power, majesty and holiness of God Almighty. It leads to a healthy respect of God and is the antidote to all other fears and trails we can ever experience in life.