The full range of emotions from fear to anger to joy and rage has a place and time for expression. Consider Psalm 4:4 that’s says “Be angry, and do not sin.” And Proverbs 1:7 that says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.”
I’ve heard some people say, “ALL fear is of the devil”. Now obviously Proverbs contradicts that. I do believe that there are bad or even demonic fears. Fears based in a lack of faith in God are clearly never to be entertained or coddled but killed. And in its place needs to come a deep abiding trust that God loves us and is for us.
When we allow fear to emotionally cripple us we are in sin. But I do believe there is such a thing as “healthy fear”. I’ll teach my kids to have a healthy fear of fire, dogs, knives, guns, anyone with a tattoo of a dagger and also democrats (just joking…kindda) ect, ect. I love the rush fear brings. Fear of the open ocean or mountain climbing or pushing myself physically way beyond my comfort zone are all fears that I get a rush from. They are opportunities where I can stretch the borders of my comfort zone and expand the usable space of my world and experiences . I don’t want to grow static but want every area of my life to be dynamic. Whether its my body, my mind or my spirit or any other area, I don’t want to grow stiff or stale and stop pushing myself.
When something crosses my path that provokes fear I ask myself this question, “is this a fear to run from, run through or run with.” This question can usually easily be answers with Christ, common sense and counsel. There will inevitably be times in life when fear will be present. Whether its when you ask that girl out on a date, buy your first house or go on your first foreign missions trip fear may be present. But sometimes you need to feel the fear and do it anyways.
Don’t be afraid to go out on a limb. That’s where the fruit is. -H. Jackson Browne
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