What Are You Afraid Of?

I recently read about some fears that are a part of many peoples lives…maybe even your own! Peladophobia: fear of baldness and bald people. Aerophobia: fear of drafts. Porphyrophobia: fear of the color purple. Chaetophobia: fear of hairy people. Levophobia: fear of objects on the left side of the body. Dextrophobia: fear of objects on the right side of the body. Auroraphobia: fear of the northern lights. Calyprophobia: fear of obscure meanings. Thalassophobia: fear of being seated. Stabisbasiphobia: fear of standing and walking. Odontophobia: fear of teeth. Graphophobia: fear of writing in public, etc., etc...

Clearly, there are many different types of fear that can occur in a person’s life. But, what exactly is fear in its purest form? A dictionary describes fear as: a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined.

According to noted neurologist Antonio R. Damasio, “When we are afraid of something, our hearts begin to race, our mouths become dry, our skin turns pale and our muscles contract. This emotional reaction occurs automatically and unconsciously. Feelings occur after we become aware in our brain of such physical changes; only then do we experience the feeling of fear.” Therefore, from this statement, it would be safe to infer that feelings such as fear are formed by emotions.

Fear exists in all of our lives, in one form or another. Members of a psychology class asked the following question to 500 people: “What are you afraid of?” The response they received was phenomenal. The people that were surveyed listed over 7,000 fears! Amazing, isn’t it? But, it doesn’t have to be this way because Christ came to deliver us from our fears.

The Bible speaks of two kinds of fear: 1) a fear that is commanded; 2) and a fear that is forbidden. What is the difference? A fear that is commanded involves respect, honor, reverence, and even a sense of awe. For example, we are to fear God (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; Acts 9:31; Hebrews 11:7). This type of fear also leads to: holiness (2 Corinthians 7:1); working out our own salvation (Philippians 2:12); and evangelism (2 Corinthians 5:11). Forbidden fear, on the other hand, is usually synonymous with feelings of dread, alarm, fright, terror, apprehension, anxiety, perplexity (confusion) and distrust. (Psalm 91:5; Luke 12:32)

However, this kind of fear (forbidden) is not to be confused with caution. That is something different altogether. Some examples of this would be: a fear of being run over causes you to look both ways before crossing the street; or, the fear of polio causes you to take the vaccine. But don’t worry; these types of fears are perfectly normal and good.

Whether we like it to admit it or not, fear operates freely in our lives. We see that men: fear failure (Matthew 25:25); fear the unknown; fear responsibility (Deuteronomy 1:22-46); fear old age (Leviticus 19:32; Proverbs 16:31); fear insecurity (Matthew 6:24-34); fear what other men will say and think about them, or do to them (Luke 12:4-7; Matthew 26: 69-75); fear death (Hebrews 2:15, 9:27; Philippians 1:21-23).

Unfortunately, fear takes a toll on us if we allow it. Fear makes our life a wretched experience and distorts the personality (1 Samuel 28). It can prevent one from doing the will of God (Exodus 3). Fear can render one useless and even bring on the very thing we fear. And probably the saddest of all; it can cause a person to be lost (Revelation 21:8). All of this must sound pretty dismal so far, I know. So, how can we overcome fear?

Luckily there are some things that we can do to overcome fear. We must remember that fear is strictly prohibited. In fact, it is a characteristic of the wicked (Proverbs 28:1). “Fear not” and “be not afraid” appear over 180 times in the Bible! Enthrone Christ (1 Peter 3:14-15); put your faith and trust in God (Isaiah 26:3); conceive of God as Father; and never lose sight of the fact that you are in the presence of God and that his help is near. In conclusion, never take counsel of your fears, and pray, pray, pray!

Let’s pray...

Heavenly Father, as we kneel before Your throne of grace, we ask a special blessing and benediction upon us, Your people. We particularly pray that You will shield and defend us from the ravages of fear and anxiety. Place Your protective mantle around us and our loved ones that we will be fearful of nothing. Forgive our weakness and shortcomings. Lord, hear our prayer, for we give You praise, honor, glory and thanks.

God's love and peace to all,

Holly