Finding No Enjoyment In Fear
Value Protects Body And Soul In Ways Fear Cannot
by Eric Elkin
"Stop it. Just stop it!" The words just shot out of my mouth before I could stop them. Honestly, it took me a minute to realize they had left my subconscious for the outside world. Anxiety must have taken control of the filters which keep such thoughts buried in my mind. As soon as I spoke them, though, my wife jumped up in agreement. It was like she was waiting for me to say something.
We were watching the movie "Uncut Gems." Despite the rave reviews of experts and friends, it was not an enjoyable experience. The film was terrific as movies go. The directors did a masterful job of pulling the audience into the life of the main character, Howard Ratner, played by Adam Sandler. The problem was I find no enjoyment in that level of anxiety and the fear it produces.
Shortly after speaking these words, I stood up and turned the movie off. Both of us couldn't take it anymore. It was two weeks before we returned to watch the second half of the film. The "surprise" ending was not a surprise. It was a sweet relief. The movie was over, and we made it out in one piece.
I don't understand fear even though I am friends with it. There are a few universal fears. Things I find terrifying, others find mundane, and vice versa. Even when we can universally agree on a fear, how people respond to it also seems to vary.
One time, our church staff was talking about going parachuting together. As we were trying to convince reluctant participants, a retired pilot with combat experience entered the room. His response to the parachuting idea was, "I would never do that. It is too dangerous."
One of the things I do not understand about fear is how much people love it. Many children love to hear scary stories. Adults are drawn to movies that terrify them. I am not one of those people. I avoid scary things like its COVID-19. It makes me wonder how people hear Jesus' words not to be afraid?
All humans possess an innate fear. This kind of fear is an evolutionary response designed to help keep us alive. We will call it a "good" fear. Then some phobias paralyze people from fully experiencing life. Phobias are a "bad" fear, but one out of our complete control. We need assistance to help us avoid them.
I think what Jesus may be talking about is learned fear. The kind of terror which is not innate, but becomes part of our life through education. Again, this is not like being educated to fear a virus.
The byproduct of learned fear has been on full display these last couple of weeks. Police fear criminals, African Americans fear the police, and white people fear black power. We have people afraid of losing their freedom to government control. Some are afraid of becoming sick. There is no end to it all.
The root cause of these kinds of fears is often value. One group feels inferior or threatened to become less important than another group of people. The absence of value can lead to anxiety, anger, hatred, and acts of violence. We need to fight learned fear with proclaimed value. You are more valuable than many sparrows does not sound that impressive. Yet, it does protect the body and soul in ways fear cannot.
Click to read Matthew 10: 24-39
Reflection Questions:
What is a good fear you enjoy?
What fear has the greatest impact on your daily life and living?
Where do you find a sense of self-value? Something which helps you feel good about yourself.
How can you help others discover a sense of self-worth?