Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord.”
NL Daily Devotion for Thursday, July 28, 2022
by R. M. Fergus, Clergy Stuff
Fear is the single most damaging force in all of human existence. I would say with confidence that every act of violence or hatred—whether individual or societal—comes down to fear. In the rooms of recovery I was taught that every so-called “defect of character” we exhibit comes down to one of two fears: the fear of not having enough or the fear of not being enough. Try it for yourself. Think of a time you were angry or controlling or acted in a less-than-stellar manner and ask yourself why. Not just on the surface—"well, I was mad because she did X!” Go deeper. Why were you mad that she did X? What did it trigger in you? If you go far enough and deep enough, you’ll eventually find that you were mad because her action made you feel “less-than”, took away something you had, or threatened to prevent you from getting something you wanted.
Lots of people say that the opposite of fear is faith. I disagree. The opposite of fear is actually love. Love is an action that dispels fear. Love of God, self, and neighbor, diligently striven for, can quiet our fears of meaninglessness. When we find ourselves subject to the bad behavior of others, we can remember that it comes out of fear and that we don’t need to “fear what they fear” or “be intimidated,” but can cling to the love of God in Christ Jesus and act out of that love in the world.
When have I behaved in a negative way out of fear?