Fear
Yesterday, I got home around 8:00 pm and sat down to eat my dinner. The TV was on and tuned to the start of the second season of a show I’ve never seen called “The Librarians.” From what I could gather, it is a fantasy-type show (in the spirit of “Doctor Who”) where a group of people go around and fix fantasy-/magic-type problems. In this episode, they try to capture a demon that feeds on anger. None of this is noteworthy except for a character line that suggested anger was a manifestation of fear.
Fear has been on my mind for a week or so now, so it seemed like the Holy Spirit was kicking me to address it. My initial thought was, somehow, to explore how fear is a reflection of unknown or unexpected consequences. For example, assuming you have a couple hundred dollars, getting pulled over for a traffic infraction might elicit fear as the officer walks up to your window. But, assuming you aren’t doing something that would get you arrested and detained, the worst outcome is you’ll drive away with a ticket. Of course, the consequences can be far worse if you’ve had several tickets, other significant infractions such as a DUI or if the infraction is so severe the officer is compelled to take you to jail to ensure you meet with a judge. But I would argue those possible paths should be known by you before the lights and siren came on. In fact, when I drive by or near a police officer, my mind immediately shifts to whether I’m doing anything wrong‑fear f the unknown.
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” - Philippians 4:4-9 ESV
“Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together! I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.” - Psalm 34:3-4
We were riding our motorcycles in the Smokey Mountains, and I was leading our two-motorcycle group. I realized we needed to turn left and, without adequately looking, shifted to the left lane (using my turn signal). Before I knew what was going on, a sheriff lit me up. When he walked up to me, he was livid (I didn’t know why he pulled me over). He explained that I changed lanes right in front of him and he almost hit me. This story brings me back to the TV show line…he had just experienced fear that he might have hit me, with all the horrible consequences of doing that (even if not at fault) and that fear manifested itself as anger toward me for putting him in that situation. I got a ticket for an illegal lane change (I think) and ultimately paid the fine. I think he could have cited me for reckless driving (a much more serious crime that I may have been able to fight), but my demeanor led him to the illegal lane change charge.
Fear is mentioned 437 times in the ESV Bible. God knows we are afraid of change. The unknown is what we fear. If we would just put our trust in God, we would realize whatever the outcome is, it wouldn’t be nearly as bad as worrying about it. I may not have been happy getting pulled over and getting a ticket, but it was a reminder that, as a motor vehicle operator, it is about more than getting from point A to point B. I was engaging in an activity that could be dangerous to me and others, and should be done with everyone in mind. In retrospect, it was a valuable lesson learned.
