"[W]e now know that the human animal is characterized by two great fears that other animals are protected from: the fear of life and the fear of death... Heidegger brought these fears to the center of his existential philosophy. He argued that the basic anxiety of [humanity] is anxiety about being-in-the-world, as well as anxiety of being-in-the-world. That is, both fear of death and fear of life, of experience and individuation." - Ernest Becker
Anxiety or fear has been called the official emotion of our age. It is the most primitive emotion in our makeup. It is what makes babies wail at birth.
Advice columnist Ann Landers received something like 10,000 letters a month. When asked what seems to be the most common topic, she answered that most people seem to be afraid of something. When you stop to think about it, there are a lot of things to be afraid of: disease, cancer, earthquakes, war, rejection, failure, being stuck in a dead-end job, bad things happening to our kids, drunk drivers, the economy, and, of course, death. And then there are just the feelings of anxiety and fear that seem to have no explanation like panic attacks; living with the fear of fear.
The world is a frightening and unsafe place. Life is unpredictable. People can be cruel, uncaring, selfish and manipulative.
Psychologist Alfred Adler was convinced that our basic desire or hunger is for power; we want to be in control, and we feel not only uncomfortable but anxious, even fearful, when we are not. This is why we do our utmost to control circumstances and others. But the fact is we are really not in control of very much, if anything at all. The economy, terrorists, what others think or feel about us, and what or who is influencing our children, are not under our control. Neither is the weather, viruses, the cost of living, the future of the company we work for, going blind, having a stroke, the mood of our spouse, the unknown, or what happens to us after we die.
So let's be reasonable. If we really are on our own, if we really are not in control, if there is no God, or if we didn't know if he was personal, good or powerful or that he had our best interests at heart, then we have every reason to be afraid! We could lose anything and everything at any time. There is absolutely no basis for peace.
Yet the most repeated command in the Bible is "fear not", or "do not be afraid". In one place Jesus tells his followers not to be afraid even if your life is in danger, you have to testify before kings, are betrayed by family members, face persecution, are hated and rejected, or sentenced to death.
Not only does Jesus tell us not to be afraid, but gives us reasons for fearlessness: He is good, powerful, in control and present in every situation. The Son of God, he came, lived the life we should have lived, died on a cross and rose from the dead in order to give those who believe in him eternal life, security, acceptance and dignity. He dealt with THE ultimate fear - the judgment of God - by taking it upon himself, and thereby bringing us peace with God and peace within. His love is perfect, and it drives out all fear. So if you are afraid, put your trust in him.
