Month: January 2017

Fallibility of FEAR (Depression/8 of 10)

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Fear as Depression/Sadness

Depression comes from a fear that things will never get any better. That fear fuels a hopelessness that reason cannot redirect. Allowing that fear to grow begins a downward spiral where the unrealistic fear builds upon itself. Eventually depression reaches a point that when things do improve, the emotion is so solidified that the good times are a lesser version of reality. This in-turn makes recovery even more difficult as the light looks dimmer as time goes forward. To curb depression we must attack that fear. The light of God can shine into the darkest depression. This comes from experience not a theory. It is unrealistic that things will always be hard. We cannot drift into hopelessness. This fear must be met with God and His reality!

Fallibility of FEAR (Pride/7 of 10)

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Fear as Pride

Pride is fear of including the thoughts of other people into your potentially fallible position. People work hard to create opinions and positions on every topic that they are exposed to. They work even harder to make sure that their opinion is relevant and valuable. When an opposing opinion might prove theirs inadequate pride creeps in. They first have to attack the person expressing the opinion to prove superiority and then undermine the value of the opposing opinion. The opposite of pride is humility. How much better and well-rounded would we be if we took a position of humility and allowed potentially valuable information to help grow our ideas? Be open to ideas that contradict yours. Sometimes an opportunity for growth comes from the most unlikely source.

Fallibility of FEAR (Greed/6 of 10)

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Fear as Greed

Greed comes from a fear that God’s provision will not be enough. People gather resources at the expense of others to ensure that their needs will be unconditionally met. They gather provision that will ruin over time. Just like in the wilderness when the Israelites were told to gather manna for the day. When they attempted to gather more it spoiled overnight. God provides more than we need. He does this in the hope that we will use that provision to provide for those around us. He could provide for them specifically but when His children do His work, the recipient can give glory to God. The world is full of people who prosper and refuse to give credit where it is due. Know that God gives abundantly for the purpose of His glory. He provides for His children. He promises this so there should be not room for fear reflected as greed in a believer.

Fallibility of FEAR (Un-forgiveness/5 of 10)

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Fear as Un-Forgiveness

A lack of forgiveness occurs when there is a fear of reoccurring behavior. Sometimes it occurs when a situation is too painful to be dealt with so an inability to forgive that person acts to create separation and safety. If we choose not to forgive we maintain a ‘safe’ distance from pain. We also isolate ourselves from people and unrelated situations and relationships. God desires reconciliation. He reconciled us to Him when we did not deserve or even ask for forgiveness. Being Christ-like is being willing to forgive, even in moments the other person doesn’t show remorse. Extending forgiveness sets the injured party free as much as the person who created the issue. The true goal should be to forgive as God does. Another valuable lesson is to learn from the inflicted pain and grow in unconditional love for people. That is the ultimate command of God.

Fallibility of FEAR (Hatred/4 of 10)

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Fear as Hatred

Hatred develops from a fear that there is no possible resolution. When things have become so bad that hope is lost, the safest emotion position is found when we detach. The easiest way to detach is to hate. Hate prevents any further emotional attachment. Hatred creates a selfish safety. While the heart of hate remains safe, the victim of that hate is left even more vulnerable. With that thought we can see how selfish and worldly a position of hatred is. Selfish and worldly are antonyms of what God is. Instead of hate, we must be children of God who seek resolution. Even if that resolution is not emotionally safe for us. Our God is a God of reconciliation proven when He sent Jesus to reconcile us to Him. When your emotion begins to develop into hate you have to rely on God to find resolution, and to give you hope. There can be no hate where there is hope. Don’t fall into a selfish position of hate. Don’t project your fear as hate and create a greater impedance to resolution and reconciliation. Be an example of God’s design.

Fallibility of FEAR (Jealousy/ 3 of 10)

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Fear as Resentment/Jealousy

Resentment and jealousy can come from a fear of inadequacy. We see people either getting away with sin or excelling in their sin. We in turn become resentful that we live a life pleasing to God and they seem to be more abundant in God’s provision. That is not the case. These people are gathering worldly riches which are but dust in the eye of eternity. As God’s chosen we have become eternal beings. We must see their gain in the proper light. God provides for His children what they need to grow in a way pleasing to Him, a way that will benefit His eternal kingdom. When you are a child of God you are no longer able to be inadequate. You must view things in this new context. Do not envy the lives of others. Their path is not yours. God designed your path just for you. Use His provision to learn and grow into Christ-likeness: fearless.

Fallibility of FEAR (Anger/ 2 of 10)

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Fear as Anger

Anger is a ‘go-to’ emotion. It’s easy. It takes the inward fear and reflects it outward, it makes other people victims of your fear. The majority of the time we are angry, it is fueled by another emotion that we are choosing to not deal with. We avoid dealing by covering it with anger and focusing out fear outward. There is justifiable anger described in the bible and shown in the actions of Jesus (flipping the tables of the money changers in the temple). We must be careful to accept the real emotion and deal with it instead of letting it turn into anger, and if we feel angry: stop, and be honest enough with ourselves to find the source. Our God is not an angry God! He is a God of love. Be a representation of God: exemplifying a love that cannot be explained. That love drives out anger, whose source comes from fear. (1 John 4:18)

Fallibility of FEAR (Intro/ 1 of 10)

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Fear drives many of the emotions that cause us to try and work ahead of God. Fear drives many of the other emotions that we might not realize come from fear: anger, resentment, jealousy, hatred, sadness, un-forgiveness, greed, pride, depression, anxiety… I’ve heard fear describe with the acronym: False Emotions Assumed Real. Many times we add more weight to a situation which in turn creates in us more emotion. Eventually the amount of emotion we attach to a situation becomes uncontrollable and the false assumptions creep in. These false assumptions act as fuel for the emotions that take us away from reality and toward the coping emotions where there is not truth and healing is impossible because the source is so far removed from the new reality.