The Fear Factor

The Fear Factor
By Patricia Ang

What keeps us from stretching our potential? Each of us has been blessed with unique personality, gifts and talents. What than prevents us from using all these gifts? The FEAR factor – fear of the unknown can really paralyze us. I am sure all of us at some point in time have become fearful about dying, getting cancer, losing a love one, losing our jobs, not finding the love of your life, not bringing up our children in the proper ways, facing personal conflicts and even money problems and so much more.

As adults, we work so hard at our jobs that at times we neglect the people around us. Some of us have regular working hours while others work longer hours. Only a minority of us actually loves what we are doing and we get paid for the work that we do. The majority of us are embroiled in office politics, chasing after the next pay increment / promotion or finding ourselves stuck in jobs which we are unhappy in. Have we ever taken the time to ask the Lord, what are his plans for us? How do we bring Christ to our workplace? Start the day with a prayer to ask the Lord to guide us and whatever we do; it is for the glory of God each day.

Anxieties, worries, worldly cares are all bondage of fears. There are times when we worry too much about our future that we immerse ourselves in worldly cares. We forget to live for the present by placing our Faith and Trust in Him. Hence Jesus forbids his disciples to worry: “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do the very thing, why do you worry about the rest?” (Luke 12:25-26). If we want to take the world to ourselves and be in control, do everything for selfish gains, we will be torn apart and be tired out. As a result, we may lose focus when reading the word of God. Our bodies need rest, sleep, our minds and spirit need nourishment in the word of God. If we become too preoccupied with worldly care, then greed, selfishness, quarrels, fights, discontentment, gossips and misunderstandings will stay in the persons’ heart, instead of God.

Fear is not putting our trust in God. A trusting heart is the answer for a worried mind. When we are most afraid, that is when we need confidence in God. Psalm 112 speaks of a person who fears the Lord, delights in His commandments and is gracious to others. However the most striking statement from there is “He will not be afraid of evil things; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.”

How many of us are affected by the comments made by the people around us? These comments at times may discourage us and may even prevent us from reaching our dreams, stretching our potential and instead we end up staying in our comfort zones. However has it occurred to us that it is only when we experience the ups and downs in life can we truly experience life. Each experience that we encounter and the people that we meet in our lives are meant for a reason. Let’s take the time to learn from such experiences and cherish the people we meet.

To overcome the fear factor, we must acknowledge it. Then we surrender everything to the Lord. “When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust, I will not be afraid” (Psalm 56:3). By doing so, this gives us a growing confidence and it takes faith and a conscious decision to trust in the Lord.

If we feel fearful, let us remember God’s promise (Isaiah 41: 10): “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”.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.