Facing fear
08/01/20 03:58
“I’m afraid we have no other choice.”
“I’m afraid that is the new norm.”
“I’m afraid we’ve ignored our own policies.”
I’m not sure what it was about yesterday and the particular meetings that I attended, but somehow it struck me that people were using the word “afraid” a lot.
Of course there are many reasons to be afraid in our world.
Iran tried to target two US bases in Iraq with the intention of killing US troops yesterday in an escalating conflict that keeps bringing the Middle East closer and closer to open war. It is a war that likely could involve major world powers in global conflict.
The Australia bushfires are just one of many signs that global climate change is permanently affecting the lives of a lot of people. And it isn’t just bush fires. Rising sea levels are threatening all kinds of coastal properties from oceanic research stations to residences. Decreasing glaciers and melting polar ice caps are threatening wildlife and traditional sustenance activities. As the Harvey Weinstein trial gets underway in New York City, more and more reports of the ill treatment and abuse of women by powerful men continue to make headlines. A Ukrainian airliner carrying 176 people has crashed in Iran and officials say there is no chance of finding survivors.
Scan any news source and it isn’t difficult to find reasons to be afraid. There are real threats in this world.
What strikes me, however, is not that people are afraid when real threats enter their lives. It seems to me that I keep encountering people who are afraid when there is little to threaten them.
Our own church is not exempt. We seem to live in fear as much as others. Occasionally a stranger will wander into our building at a time when we are not having public services. Usually it is someone who is seeking help. Perhaps they are hungry and have no money, or are traveling and have encountered unexpected expenses or problems. Sometimes those who wander in are impaired by addictions and abuses of substances. A couple of times in the past 25 years items have been stolen from our building. For longer than I’ve been at the church, there has been a basic security system in the building that involves fire, heat and smoke detectors. The system also has basic entry and glass break alarms on the church offices. A couple of times the system has reported attempted burglaries and thieves have been caught. Within the last year, however, a new system that involves a half dozen security cameras and keeping our building locked with and electronic lock so that visitors can be buzzed into the building after being identified on camera has been installed. It was deemed to be necessary for the safety and security of our employees. I don’t believe that it is any more dangerous to work in our building than was ever the case. We are ini a safe place in the city and we have not experienced threats to those of us who work there. I spend hours and hours in the building alone and have never been afraid. Somehow however people have become frightened enough to spend significant amounts of money on enhanced building security.
People are afraid.
There are many problems with fear. It doesn’t bring out the best in us. When we are afraid we fail to recognize strangers as the gifts of God that they are. When we are afraid we invest our energy in making our world smaller instead of recognizing the wide and wonderful glory of God. Furthermore, most of the time when we are afraid, our reaction is disproportionate to the actual thread. Fear when no threat exists can become a debilitating form of mental illness. Unrealistic distrust of others can inhibit normal human interaction.
Jesus message to his disciples on fear is very clear. It appears throughout the Gospel narrative. It is simply, “Be not afraid.” And it isn’t just Jesus. The reassurance of God and the invitation for us to live in faith and not fear is throughout the Bible.
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” - Isaiah 41:10
“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you." - Psalm 56:3
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:6-7
“Peace is what I leave with you; it is my own peace that I give you. I do not give it as the world does. Do not be worried and upset; do not be afraid.” - John 14:27
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” - 2 Timothy 1:7
“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” - 1 John 4:18
It still remains the job of the church and its ministries to help people to come out from under the oppression of fear. Fear enslaves those who are trapped by it. They lose the ability to sleep, to live fully and to trust.
I wish I knew better how to inspire courage. I wish I were more able to respond to those “I’m afraid” statements when I hear them in meetings and other activities. I know that whatever people face, whatever turmoil or struggles, whatever anxious thoughts occupy our hearts and minds, God is greater than all of those things. The power to live courageously, body and fearlessly in this life is available to those who live in faith.
I pray that i will find ways to help those around me to live strong, hope-filled lives. I hope that today I will hear less of the fears and more of the hopes.
“I’m afraid that is the new norm.”
“I’m afraid we’ve ignored our own policies.”
I’m not sure what it was about yesterday and the particular meetings that I attended, but somehow it struck me that people were using the word “afraid” a lot.
Of course there are many reasons to be afraid in our world.
Iran tried to target two US bases in Iraq with the intention of killing US troops yesterday in an escalating conflict that keeps bringing the Middle East closer and closer to open war. It is a war that likely could involve major world powers in global conflict.
The Australia bushfires are just one of many signs that global climate change is permanently affecting the lives of a lot of people. And it isn’t just bush fires. Rising sea levels are threatening all kinds of coastal properties from oceanic research stations to residences. Decreasing glaciers and melting polar ice caps are threatening wildlife and traditional sustenance activities. As the Harvey Weinstein trial gets underway in New York City, more and more reports of the ill treatment and abuse of women by powerful men continue to make headlines. A Ukrainian airliner carrying 176 people has crashed in Iran and officials say there is no chance of finding survivors.
Scan any news source and it isn’t difficult to find reasons to be afraid. There are real threats in this world.
What strikes me, however, is not that people are afraid when real threats enter their lives. It seems to me that I keep encountering people who are afraid when there is little to threaten them.
Our own church is not exempt. We seem to live in fear as much as others. Occasionally a stranger will wander into our building at a time when we are not having public services. Usually it is someone who is seeking help. Perhaps they are hungry and have no money, or are traveling and have encountered unexpected expenses or problems. Sometimes those who wander in are impaired by addictions and abuses of substances. A couple of times in the past 25 years items have been stolen from our building. For longer than I’ve been at the church, there has been a basic security system in the building that involves fire, heat and smoke detectors. The system also has basic entry and glass break alarms on the church offices. A couple of times the system has reported attempted burglaries and thieves have been caught. Within the last year, however, a new system that involves a half dozen security cameras and keeping our building locked with and electronic lock so that visitors can be buzzed into the building after being identified on camera has been installed. It was deemed to be necessary for the safety and security of our employees. I don’t believe that it is any more dangerous to work in our building than was ever the case. We are ini a safe place in the city and we have not experienced threats to those of us who work there. I spend hours and hours in the building alone and have never been afraid. Somehow however people have become frightened enough to spend significant amounts of money on enhanced building security.
People are afraid.
There are many problems with fear. It doesn’t bring out the best in us. When we are afraid we fail to recognize strangers as the gifts of God that they are. When we are afraid we invest our energy in making our world smaller instead of recognizing the wide and wonderful glory of God. Furthermore, most of the time when we are afraid, our reaction is disproportionate to the actual thread. Fear when no threat exists can become a debilitating form of mental illness. Unrealistic distrust of others can inhibit normal human interaction.
Jesus message to his disciples on fear is very clear. It appears throughout the Gospel narrative. It is simply, “Be not afraid.” And it isn’t just Jesus. The reassurance of God and the invitation for us to live in faith and not fear is throughout the Bible.
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” - Isaiah 41:10
“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you." - Psalm 56:3
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:6-7
“Peace is what I leave with you; it is my own peace that I give you. I do not give it as the world does. Do not be worried and upset; do not be afraid.” - John 14:27
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” - 2 Timothy 1:7
“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” - 1 John 4:18
It still remains the job of the church and its ministries to help people to come out from under the oppression of fear. Fear enslaves those who are trapped by it. They lose the ability to sleep, to live fully and to trust.
I wish I knew better how to inspire courage. I wish I were more able to respond to those “I’m afraid” statements when I hear them in meetings and other activities. I know that whatever people face, whatever turmoil or struggles, whatever anxious thoughts occupy our hearts and minds, God is greater than all of those things. The power to live courageously, body and fearlessly in this life is available to those who live in faith.
I pray that i will find ways to help those around me to live strong, hope-filled lives. I hope that today I will hear less of the fears and more of the hopes.
