Scared, but Fearless

Fear paralyzes. Worry causes us to doubt ourselves.

Fear may manifest itself as a phobia. For example, arachibutyrophobia, the fear of getting peanut butter stuck to the roof of your mouth, or geniophobia, the fear of chins. If you're afraid of Friday the 13th - not the movie, the actual day - then you suffer from paraskavedekatriaphobia. According to cartoonist Gary Larson (The Far Side), luposlipaphobia is the fear of being pursued by timberwolves around a kitchen table while wearing socks on a newly waxed floor (okay, this might be a little far-fetched).

On the other hand, being scared motivates us to act. It raises our adrenaline level, causes our heart to beat faster to awaken us. Concern does it's job to help us think more deeply through a problem to arrive at a prudent solution. Being afraid can help us act sooner, perform better and "cut through the minutia" that would normally hamper our progress.

God wants us to be confident, hopeful, encouraged and without fear. Over and over, He tells us that He "searches the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him." (2 Chron 16:19). Solomon writes that we should strive to be successful, fulfilled and satisfied with our lives -- "I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God." (Ecc. 3:12,13).

When you're going through a life change (job loss or transition, promotion, marriage, divorce, loss of a loved one, bankruptcy ...) it's normal to be a bit (or a lot) afraid. Use the emotion to help you think more clearly, act confidently and arrive at a better solution ... a wake-up call. If you find yourself paralyzed (or procrastinating), it's fear. Being scared is logical -- being fearful is not. There's a difference, and that can make all the difference.