The right dose of FEAR: Making and managing change

“Fear” is a hot word during this pandemic. Some are admitting that they fear the virus during the pandemic; others are sharing that they fear the outcome of the presidential election; most of us fear BIG change to some level. We normally can take change in small doses and be quite happy when this is in the form of improvement of something known. For example, most like technology that has made computers faster and made a lot of our lives better with new automation and tools.

A baby enters this existence needing care from day one, dependent on a parent or parent/figure for daily sustenance. This need persists while the baby learns to walk, to talk, to think, to be a part of the herd of humans. We learn about herds and personal pods early in life.

One herd tendency that we have to continually manage throughout life is this “fear” factor. Our need for things to remain the same, the need to have a safe place and the need for acceptance from others and fear of rejection affects most of us at varying levels throughout life (social acceptance). We also fear serious illness and death. We don’t like to hurt and we don’t like to be separated from our family pod. Fear of danger may be necessary to keep our fingers from the fire but fear has to be personally evaluated as reasonable or excessive. Each has a different set of circumstances and conditions so conclusions will not all be the same. Nor will the fears.

Christians learn that as life brings problems and changes, when they became part of the family of God at the point they believed and accepted Jesus as their Messiah, their “herd” changed. They don’t have to rely just on the acceptance of other humans when trying to balance new changes and fears. We are never alone even when we are quarantining in our safe places. We have help no matter what the change brings or the government requires.

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.

Still, we strive to make sure that we are not too different from our church family and pod family. We want that care and commitment (love) we feel returned to us; we want our pod members to value us just as we value them. Our self-esteem so often connected to this exchange. This “love” is a part of what makes us human. Sometimes, in order to not rock the boat and jeopardize our herd or pod unity, we end up adjusting our paths and actions to that which those we care about are doing, whether we agree that a path is the correct one. We fear losing our connections so much that we end up missing the boat of what it means to have and live the love of God.

1 John 4:7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.

We do things because others are doing it. Or, we don’t do things because others are not doing it. This is one that I need to often beg for help and for forgiveness when I fail to live the love of God, and live the love of my pod. There are many issues in our lives right now that may or may not bring huge changes. We are not wrong to fear these but we are wrong to not manage this fear. I have to continually pray that fear is not that which guides me when I make decisions about which presidential candidate to vote for, or when it is appropriate to wear PPE and social distance, or what to buy at the grocery store. My guide should be for the love of God and the love of ALL of us, not just me and my pod. My pod and I are just as valuable as everyone else but not more than; but, each is only valuable because God loves each.

I sincerely believe that God wants me to explore the Bible and explore lessons as related to our current lives. And, I believe that I am to share this exploration with others, not to set up myself up as one who knows the answers, but only as a road sign that advises to study the map to see what is the right way to go to live the love of God.

1 Corinthians 13:4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. Ephesians 4:2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.