Transforming fears to faith

“God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).

Fear is not bad per se. There are positive fears such as the holy fear and self-preserving fear. Example of a holy fear is “our reverence for and awe of God.” Example of self-reserving fear is about “the God-given instinct to run from danger, avert an accident, or protect ourselves and those we love.”

The negative fear is the slavish fear. Slavish, per Webster, has the “characteristic of slavery; oppressive’ blindly dependent; obsessive; controlling.” Slavish fear, no doubt, is a very destructive and paralyzing thing.

Per Carol Kent, author of the book “Tame your FEARS” (19940 which we will discuss int his article, slavish fear is the “type that kills expression of love, plugs line of communication, imprisons victims of abuse, taunts with ridiculous phobias, controls by manipulations, and erodes all confidence and security.” That “boiled down to the bottom line,” slavish fear, is a “problem of focus and self-reliance” meaning of being self-centered rather than of being God-centered or God-reliance.

According to Kent, self-reliance way is the destructive course of action whose “rigid, dead-end alternatives” are Denial, Defeat, Bitterness and Escape. On the other hand, the God-reliance way is the constructive course of action that will “bring us to our knees and into a more honest substantial relationship with God.” Such path will lead us to Sorrow, Brokenness, Surrender and Faith-filled decision.

Of course, for true believers of God, the constructive course of action is undoubtedly, the option to take. For better understanding of what really are involved concerning the path of God-reliance, we are quoting Kent’s detailed explanation on these below:

Sorrow: Sometimes we wallow around in a mental pigpen of betrayal, powerlessness, hurt, and anger for a long time. The turning point occurs when we stop trying to “fix” our feelings or situation and begin to grieve honestly and deeply. We live in a groaning creation where imperfect people hurt and disappoint us. That’s sad. When we are abandoned by someone we expected to love us, that’s sad. But when we allow the sorrow of a fallen world to penetrate us, something happens. When we cease playing the blame game and allow ourselves to grieve, we change.

Horrible as it is, it is the first major step toward a real solution. We have been betrayed. That’s sad. We have felt powerless. That’s sad. We have been profoundly hurt. That’s sad. We’ve been angry, and internally consumed with rage. That’s sad. We aren’t relating to other people and God the way He intended His children to relate. That’s sad. But Christ promised that those who mourn will be comforted.

Brokenness: We are needy people. When we deeply acknowledge that we are much too impotent and unwise to resolve our problems and fears without help from a power much greater than ourselves, we are on our way to real healing. We can continue to respond with fearful emotions while we’re walking on the uncertain waters of life. Or we can recognize the strength of the hand He is already extending toward us and humbly acknowledge our need. It’s saying “Lord, I cannot pick myself up by my own boostraps. I need You. A broken heart is a humble heart, and a humble heart isn’t too ashamed or self-reliant to ask for help.

Surrender: Surrender is knowing where to turn and doing it. It implies giving up my will. My desires. My plan of action. My fearful disguises. Taking off my masks. Revealing my need. Confessing my sin. With my surrender comes a willingness to be taught. It’s crying. “Father, save me! I’m drowning in my circumstances. My fears envelop me. Uncertainties are everywhere. My past is a ghost before me. Father, forgive me for thinking I could solve all this on my own. Take away any false guilt I carry for the honest feelings of hurt or anger I have had or for what others have done to me. Help me to toss my extra baggage overboard. Teach me how to trust You.”

Faith-filled decision: Once I let go of the situation, the person, the deep emotion of fear, and the potential consequences and implications-placing it all in God’s hands – I can decide to trust Him to take me through whatever lies ahead. I can face my past and accept the truth. I can reveal who I am to others and not be overwhelmed with shame or anxiety.”

Obviously, the involvement of god in confronting slavish fear is indeed very challenging. But it is the “stepping stone to humble faith, renewed confidence, appropriate power and courage, and trusting reverence for a sovereign, powerful and loving God.” Thus, let’s not be terrified nor be discouraged because He is a faithful God who promised to be with and care for us all along the way.