Healthy and Unhealthy Fear

Over the past few years, I have learned many things - some have been my own revelations, while others have come at the hands and mouths of others.

One lesson I have learned is regarding the topic of fear, and how incredibly powerful it is as a motivating force. While the word itself may be easily defined, it is the purpose of fear that is often complex. Fear can be used to bring change into our lives, whether it is fear of change itself that drives us to it, or fear of dying, fear of failure, fear of growing apart; there is aerophobia, agoraphobia, claustrophobia, acrophobia, emetophobia, carcinophobia, brontophobia, necrophobia, mysophobia [anyone who watches Monk should know what this one is], and the list goes on and on and on.

It isn't until now that I have finally completely understood there is truly such a thing as healthy fear. At its simplist form, healthy fear is what keeps us out of harms way. Whether it be walking off the edge of a cliff because when we get to close our stomach tightens, or the feeling of apprehension when the roads are slippery and we know it is time to slow down.

There is also the element of healthy fear when it comes to God's love for us, and our love for Him. Fear is foundational in learning widsom, as elequently put in Proverbs 9:10, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." In order to fully understand how incredible God's love for us is, we must understand the depth of His judgement. We quake with fear at the destructive power of an atom bomb, but we forget that God spoke and worlds came into being.

healthy fear is what causes us to respect God and to revere his sovereignty. The Bible also tells us that God's love, perfect love, casts out all fear. How can it cast out all fear when in order to receive and understand love, there must be fear? I believe this scripture is speaking of unhealthy fear. Perfect love in no way magnifies fear, or uses fear to control our decisions or the decisions of others.

I think we should learn from God's example. Using fear to manipulate or control others around us is wrong, and God frowns on it. He gave us free will and the ability to choose for ourselves - and He gave each of us individually the parameters in order to make the decisions morally, uprightly. When we lead by pointing fingers or calling names, it makes us nothing more than bullies with titles and nametags. God raises people up into positions of leadership, and manipulating those we are to be leading, those we are to be shaping and molding into God's image by the example that we set, those who are looking to us with trust. is wrong.

The gifts of God are "without repentance." So just because we, you, or someone you know may still be in a position of leadership, it does not indicate God's approval of their tactics, beliefs or methods.

But also remember, God calls all of us to respect our leaders and maintain a proper attitude, even if they are wrong. God honors us when our heart is right before Him.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-15 says, "And now, friends, we ask you to honor those leaders who work so hard for you, who have been given the responsibility of urging and guiding you along in your obedience. Overwhelm them with appreciation and love! Get along among yourselves, each of you doing your part. Our counsel is that you warn the freeloaders to get a move on. Gently encourage the stragglers, and reach out for the exhausted, pulling them to their feet. Be patient with each person, attentive to individual needs. And be careful that when you get on each other's nerves you don't snap at each other. Look for the best in each other, and always do your best to bring it out."