Antidote

Author’s note: Fear does not appear only when a lion is chasing us. It touches every aspect of our lives. It impacts our confidence, makes us people-pleasers, keeps us quiet when we should speak up, it controls our thoughts when we are alone. Fear is a BIG topic. The following contemplation is my best attempt to shine a light on this cloud that overshadows us all.

I’ve been thinking about fear.

Evidently, I am not the first person to ponder this. It seems Aristotle beat me to it by about 2365 years and 4 months.

He says, ‘Fear is pain arising from the anticipation of evil.’ I think he nailed the most important part of this statement by emphasizing that fear lies in the anticipation of something. However, based on my thinking, it does not seem likely that fear is strictly bound to evil but that it is instead bound to the actualization of my will.

If I had to amend Mr. Aristotle’s statement while still keeping it short and spicy as he so well did, I would make it this:

‘Fear is pain arising from the perceived anticipation of my will not occurring and the expected consequences thereof.’

Yes, I know, Aristotle has better one-liners than me. I'll get over it someday.

The changes I made are that it is about my will not occurring and the consequences of my will not occurring. My reasoning for this is that it is not necessarily evil that we always fear. We humans can do wicked things and delight in them. Instead, fear seems to be our response to our desires being threatened.

The most notable among these desires is self-preservation. If I believe my life is in danger, I will feel fear because I want to live. But this self-preservation reaches far beyond just our physical lives. A threat to my social status can evoke self-preservation. Being social creatures, we naturally value our position in society. If this comes under fire and we risk dropping down in the social hierarchy, we are prone to experiencing fear. (read more about status here)

An attack on my ego will do the same. I naturally want to protect my ego and pride. It makes up a large part of my self-image. If people challenge my pride or prove it wrong, I am again vulnerable to fear.

You may have noticed that I also slipped the word ‘perceived’ into my definition of fear. It may seem redundant at first glance since perception is assumed to be part of anticipation. I added it to emphasize the role that our perception plays: Everything I do and feel is based on my experience of reality. I can falsely perceive a threat to my life. This will still evoke fear. In the same way, I can feel perfectly safe while being in grave danger. Perception plays a significant role in my response.

Finally, in my statement, I also specify that the consequences of my will not coming to fruition play an important role. I think we humans are strongly consequence-driven. We do things based on their expected results. If an action promises desirable consequences, we will let little hold us back. If an action promises uncomfortable consequences, we are more likely to shy away from it. This is a good thing in some ways, but desirable results and virtuous behavior often do not go hand in hand - at least not in the short term (read more about virtue and consequences here).

So where is the problem?

Is fear a bad thing?

Recognizing fear is undoubtedly important. The question is: What do I do once I see that I am filled with fear?

On the one hand, I can recognize fear in me and then respond courageously by remaining calm and thinking clearly; on the other hand, I can act out of fear. I am convinced there is no time or place in which it is ever good to act out of fear.

To put it in the most inflammatory words possible:

‘Acting out of fear is glorification of oneself rooted in weakness.’

I know that statement is harsh. It may even sound accusatory. Let me back that statement up with a five-point explanation:

1. Since fear is a response attempting to ensure self-preservation, our vision becomes narrowed, and we focus on only ourselves. It makes us selfish and set on saving ourselves, our physical well-being, our social status, and our identity. Depending on how strongly fear overtakes us, we can become blinded to the cost, willing to sacrifice anything and anyone for our own good.

2. Acting out of fear can cause values to shift. Values I usually place great importance on can appear unimportant when fear takes over.

3. The outcome of actions becomes exponentially more heavily weighted when acting out of fear. We end up doing what provides us with the most desirable outcome instead of focusing primarily on doing what is right.

4. When fear gains control, we lose control. Acting out of fear throws away rational thinking and replaces it with emotionality. Emotions being left to wield their powers freely without supervision is never good.

5. Allowing fear to control me causes intentionality to give way to stress and panic. A lack of intentionality leads to a lack of purpose. Losing sight of a goal means we don’t have steps to take. Stress and panic ensue, and they appear insurmountable since footing cannot be regained without intentionality. Essentially, acting in fear leaves us floating in a sea of panic without land in sight. We can only flail our arms in a desperate attempt to stay above water.

Is there a solution to fear?

I believe there is a solution.

‘For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.’ (2 Timothy 1:7)

The antidote to acting out of fear is to live by faith.

Here are four reasons explaining this:

1. Fear is pain inflicted on me. Faith is taking up the cross of Christ. (Matthew 16:24)

   I will encounter pain in my life. I cannot avoid it. All I can do is choose who I suffer for. Is it me or God?

2. Fear is anticipation. Faith is not worrying about tomorrow. (Matthew 6:34)

   The future lies like a wave of uncertainty before me. I can only act in the now. Worry changes nothing.

3. Fear is my will not coming to fruition. Faith is trusting God’s will. (Matthew 6:10)

   If I allow my will to align with God’s, there is no room for fear to creep in because I am no longer clinging to my own.

4. Fear is dreading consequences. Faith is rejoicing in hardship. (Romans 5:3), (read more about rejoicing here)

   It is impossible to act in fear while remaining grateful. Even when I am fearful, I have much to be thankful for. I can rejoice through hardship because I have faith.

When I feel fear arising within me, my antidote is faith.

I need not turn my gaze to myself but to God.

I need not serve myself but serve Him through my trials, knowing He is with me.