Is it OK to be afraid?  Mmhmm, of course you are correct – it’s a trick question.  Usually “the fear of the Lord” would be brought in here – the awe we feel when we are conscious of the presence of the Almighty.  That’s a worthwhile, but separate, topic.  I’m talking about being flat-out afraid.

Fear is an appropriate, useful, and natural (meaning built in by God) response to peril.  The web of life would collapse if prey species did not fear and therefore run or hide. Even predators appropriately fear more dangerous predators, including humans.  You and I are animals, and we have adrenal glands which inject adrenalin and other hormones into our bloodstream in response to threats. Faced with danger, a fear reaction can save our lives. But you and I are something more than animals, aren’t we?  We do have instincts…and we also have minds which can govern our instinctual, natural reactions.

David famously wrote: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,” and many other similar thoughts. So, are we supposed to suppress all fear?  Is any level of fear an indication of spiritual failure?

Consider that David also wrote this: “My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death have fallen upon me.  Fear and trembling come upon me, and horror overwhelms me.  And I say, ‘Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest; yes, I would wander far away; I would lodge in the wilderness; I would hurry to find a shelter from the raging wind and tempest.’ ” (Psalm 55:4-8)  This is a fear reaction, apparently quite appropriate, in response to deadly peril.  And guess what?  This is a Messianic psalm!

We begin to get an answer to our original question as we move through this psalm to its conclusion:  “Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.” (verse 22)  David IS afraid.  He is anticipating Messiah being in the same shoes—which means Jesus also has times when he is afraid.  His anguish in the garden of Gethsemane confirms it.  But, the big point is that both David and Jesus press on through the fear, and come to a confident conclusion.  It’s often said that courage is not the absence of fear. Courage is feeling the fear, and then going forward anyway.

Jesus, I think, gives us the just-right perspective. “I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. 

But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into Gehenna. Yes, I tell you, fear him!”  (Luke 12:4-5)  Notice, he doesn’t say, “You have nothing to worry about. Everything will be fine.”  He says, “Enemies are going to kill you.”  We are going to be afraid of those enemies!  Jesus knows this, and says this to reassure us.  Who do we really need to worry about?  The one who has the authority to cast into Gehenna—and that is none other than Jesus himself in his role as God’s appointed Judge.  In other words:  keep the right perspective on what the greater danger is, and act appropriately.

Back to David.  He wrote a number of his songs with themes like this: “I say to God, my rock: ‘Why have you forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?’ ” (Psalm 42:9)  There are numerous pleas for deliverance from enemies too strong for him. But the question over and over comes down to this: “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.” (verse 11)

We do have deadly enemies. Virus, cancer, heart disease.  Someday, one of these or some other mortal enemy will kill us. The instinct for self-preservation which God gave us will, appropriately, move us to take steps to avoid them.  David, remember, fled when appropriate!  And beyond this, Jesus teaches us perspective. Yes, something is going to kill you—but that’s not your primary concern!  Your #1 is to not be on the wrong side of the Judge when he comes.

So, as you knew from the beginning, the answer to the question is “yes and no”.  We can be paralyzed by fear—not good.  We can be heedless of perils—equally not good. We can get mixed up in our priorities and lose perspective—again not good.  The course counseled by David and Jesus is:  Be aware of the dangers, have a healthy fear of them. And then be courageous in the face of the dangers and the fears, knowing that there is something in the picture far bigger than what we are afraid of.  That something is the love of God, His power to save, His plan to include us.

There’s much more scripture on this topic, much more that could be said.  All of it boils down to just a few things.  There are things to be afraid of—and being afraid is not sin. What will put us on the wrong side is to let the fears overcome us, focusing on what’s immediately in front of us and losing the larger, eternal perspective. In Psalm 31 David says there is terror on every side—pretty grim. But he concludes, “Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the LORD!” (v 24)  If you feel daunted and afraid, this psalm is a true inspiration to courage. As it should be—it’s about Jesus!  If you feel need of the encouragement, know that Jesus needed it too.

Love, with trepidation yet with hope,

Paul

If you have any feedback, please contact me at: paul.zilmer@gmail.com