By: Rev. Jerry Chiles
How many times have we heard the phrase, “Do not be afraid” or have we said this to a family member, a friend, or a church member? Athletes at the 2024 Olympics were told to “shake it off”! Even Taylor Swift has a song about “Shaking it Off!”
To be afraid is to be human. What is fear? Is it good or bad?
Zachary Sikora, PsyD, a psychologist from Northwestern Medicine Clinic shares five key concepts of fear.
Understanding the Science of Fear
Fear is our survival response.
Fear Is Physical
Fear is experienced in your mind, but it triggers a strong physical reaction in your body. As soon as you recognize fear, your amygdala goes to work. It alerts your nervous system, which sets your body’s fear response into motion.
Fear Can Make You Foggy
When the amygdala senses fear, the cerebral becomes impaired — so now it’s difficult to make good decisions or think clearly.
Fear Is Not Phobia
The difference between fear and phobia is simple. Fears are common reactions to events or objects. But fear becomes a phobia when it interferes with your ability to function and maintain a consistent quality of life.
Fear Keeps You Safe
“Fear is a natural and biological condition that we all experience,” says Dr. Sikora. “It’s important that we experience fear because it keeps us safe.”
In the Old Testament there are over 50 times we are told to not be afraid. In the 15th chapter of Genesis, we first hear these words to Abram, “Do not be afraid, I am your shield”. In the New Testament “do not be afraid” appears at least 16 times. In Matthew chapter 1 we find God saying to Joseph, “Do not be afraid”. Richard Rohr in his book Falling Upward says this phrase is the most common one liner in the Bible.
All ministers have a list of fears written or unwritten.
Here are some fears I have encountered:
- I am not enough.
- What others think of me.
- I may fail.
- Disappointing others.
- Disappointing God.
- Not balancing all the things in my life.
- Getting older.
- Not risking enough.
- Not preparing enough.
- Not reaching my potential.
I think we can all agree that fear is a part of our lives. Our lives have chaos whirling around us! We are stressed beyond measure. Is it possible to use our fears to our advantage?
I suggest the following ways to cope with our fears.
- Stay in the game. Brene’ Brown gives us a hint in one of her Ted Talks:
“When you are in an uncertainty, when you feel at risk, when you feel exposed, don’t tap out. Stay brave. Stay uncomfortable. Stay in the cringy moment. Lean into the hard conversation and keep leading. Stay brave!” This is probably the biggest response of athletes. YOU’VE GOT THIS! - Remember the friend or support group who helps you deal with fear. Who is the one person who has saved you during a crisis? Proverbs 17:17 says “A friend loves at all times”, and in Prov 18:24 “There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. “
- Embrace the presence of God in the person of Jesus and Holy Spirit. Are you aware of the presence of God in your life? When fear explodes, how does God help? The psalmist suggests in Psalms 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God”. In that quiet moment what do you hear? What strength do you discover? How do you quiet your soul? In John 14:18(GNB), we find, “When I go, you will not be left alone”. No matter how bad it becomes or how deep the pit feels, remember you are never alone! Joshua 8:1 “Then the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. … for I have delivered into your hands…”
Let me know how you cope with fear.
These thoughts are from Rev. Jerry Chiles, one of our partners in ministry for the Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina Metroplex. He has served in various churches across the Southeast as an associate minister. Contact him for more information about how he can help you.