Fear is a funny thing. I had the opportunity to think about fear recently, and I realized I have some pretty weird feelings about it.
For example, later this month I am having open-heart surgery. Not afraid. Biggest risk I face is dying, and at the risk of ripping off one of my theological heroes I stand to gain a lot more than I stand to lose.
Another example, earlier this month I had a chance to ride my motorcycle to work, but it was raining. I didn’t, because I was afraid. I have not been riding for very long (less than 6 months), and I do not feel confident riding on wet pavement. Biggest risk? Same as above.
When I compared these two, I realized that I didn’t really understand what fear is before now. But I think I do now. Fear is the thing that uncertain people feel when faced with their uncertainty. I am supremely confident of what will happen when I die. I don’t know all the details, but I know that the details will not matter once I make that transition. I am not eager to do so, because I figure that dying at this age may mean that I am no longer being useful to my God here among the living, but I am not afraid. I do not know what will happen if I ride my motorcycle in the rain. I could break my leg. Worse, I could break my motorcycle. I could be injured, or I could be stuck on the side of the road, or I could be fine.
So what is the theological angle on this? Take a look at II Timothy, first chapter. Paul says the following:
3I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day; 4Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy; 5When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also. 6Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. 7For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 8Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; 9Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, 10But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: 11Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. 12For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
So Paul says (in my own paraphrase) “I have been praying for you a lot, Tim, and I am encouraged every time God reminds me of the faith that runs in your family. And because it is so encouraging to me I want to encourage you to put it into action, just as I did the day I prayed for you as you began your ministry. God hasn’t called us to be timid or uncertain, but to demonstrate His gifts of love, power, and self-control to the world around us. So don’t be uncertain about the Gospel, or about my work for the Gospel. Step into the difficulties you will be facing with the confidence that you are rescued from death, called, and enabled by God not to do your own thing, but to spread the same Gospel that Christ Himself taught (as do I).”
God has a mission in this world. He is trying to accomplish something, which is to rescue people from darkness and bring them into his presence. You have a place in that mission. You are part of the solution to saving the world. There should be no doubt in your mind, if you are part of Christ, that this is true. If fear is the thing that uncertain people feel when faced with their uncertainty, then embrace the certainty of the calling of God to bring the Gospel to the people around you, and watch how fast fear transforms into love, power, self-control, and confidence.