FEAR?

FEAR?

Fear, noun and verb, is one of those weird words in the English language that is defined contextually. Fear is an unpleasant emotion or anxious feeling arising from the belief that something is dangerous or something unwelcome will happen to self or someone else. Fear can also express reverence and awe. Fear is a major obstacle for many. It is the “something unwelcome” that causes me to pause and ponder fear.

Fear is both a powerful and weak motivator. It is a powerful short-term motivator and a lousy long-term one. Fear rises from a variety of source…” I fear they will think ____if I don’t ____!” Self-imposed fear is huge… “I fear I will resemble a sack of potatoes if I don’t lose twenty pounds before the wedding or family reunion.” Fear is real… “I fear my overall health will suffer if I allow my A1C to continue to creep upwards.” These and a myriad of other fears will spur one to act. But what happens when the family reunion is over or when losing weight has controlled the A1C or you haven’t lost enough weight to make a difference?  Fear no longer holds power to motivate.

While not inherently bad, fear serves a purpose, but it is also fickle. Think of the times when you may have formulated a plan around something like losing weight because of fear of what others would say about you at an upcoming event.  As you attempt to implement and or work the plan, any and everything becomes an obstacle. The fear factor didn’t motivate you enough to silence the interruptions. Fear’s power to sustain an action leaves a lot to be desired. What others think soon loses power.

Long-term motivation is best sourced when it comes from something that truly matters to you, i.e. what you think of yourself.

How can I best illustrate? Fear of water, birthed in me by the woman who birthed me, is one of my Achilles heels. I love hanging out with others who love water. I love being near water and its sound. I am not fond of being in water especially if my feet cannot find the bottom. The fear of being teased by other adults because I couldn’t swim was my motivation for the first swimming lesson. The class went well until the instructor announced that we would be required to jump feet first into the pool during the next class. I never went back. The fear of what others would think or might say was not enough to motivate me long-term. Since that first swim class, I have taken lessons at least three more times, all motivated by fear from some source. I am still uncomfortable in water and can be classified as a non-swimmer. Intellectually, I understand the benefits and safety reasons for knowing how to swim.

Thinking about my fear of what others may say or think leads me to realize that this fear hasn’t been enough to motivate me to become even an adequate swimmer.  However, the fear of water has been a powerful motivator for keeping me firmly planted on the sand. I suppose this highlights both the strength and the weakness of fear. Maybe soon the inward desire (I know I can do anything) to swim will be motivation to take another class.

The question for you – what role does fear play in motivating you?

1 Corinthians 2:3

PONDER THIS THOUGHT---Fear is natural and can be conquered with action.

I AM NOT OKAY