Life is filled with many uncertainties and dangers. We never know what will be required of us around the next corner. And fear keeps us alert to this reality.
Photo by Austin Ban on Unsplash
Fear warns us of potential danger. It lets us know something we care for is at risk.
If I’m standing on the edge of a cliff, I feel fear because my life is in danger. I’m at risk of losing my life and fear is making me keenly aware of this truth.
The same is true when we are starting a new job, going deeper into a relationship, or moving into our next stage of growth as men. Fear tells us our comfort zone is being threatened.
In this sense, fear is an equal opportunity emotion. It does not discriminate on the basis of the size or nature of the threat.
Whatever the threat, fear draws our attention to what is at stake. It is part of our built-in alert system to protect us and keep us safe in all areas of life.
However, our challenge is to make fear work for us.
While it does a great job in exposing danger and reminding us of what is on the line, by itself, fear cannot make wise decisions for us.
This is our responsibility as mature men – to reflect on what is at stake and courageously make our next best decision.
This is not denying the fear, but rather living with courage alongside it – a courageous fear.
A courageous fear helps us to count the cost without becoming paralyzed – to be keenly aware of life’s dangers without losing our resolve to steadily advance towards God’s best for us.
We need a healthy dose of fear to keep us from foolishly rushing ahead in life. And we also need a good dose of courage so that we do not lose heart and passively play it safe.
A courageous fear allows us to live boldly, and with wisdom.
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