Gorgeous piece. I love the bulleted list of “ordinary” actions, postures, pattern-breakers. These are the intersections where amygdalae and habits must yield to present moment hope and present moment cocreation-with-other. Sounds like a recipe for love; the gift of fear here is it can be a message to us, a hunger pang for love.
This piece has been an open tab for several weeks now. Having finally spent time with it, I feel called out and confronted in the best possible way. Why am I so afraid of so much so often? And how will I ever break fear's fearsome grip? Thank you for rending the veil covering the answer. It is the same one always, isn't it? Him. The One. The Lamb.
When I remember (really and truly) that He does not push me into the dark but instead always always joins me there, fear flees and I move. Bless you for your ministry here and elsewhere. May my heart become more like yours.
Thank you for this, Chad! Love the message. I was assuming the central problem/solution posed Christianity would be sin/atonement. Surprised when you listed “sin of fear”.
I’d love to hear more of your insight sometime on when/how fear becomes sin (as opposed to understandable response to a perceived threat). You’re the man!
Hi Christian. I think Prothero would say sin/atonement as representative of what Christianity has become and how the religion answers the question. I was focusing more on Jesus's message in this piece and see a significant shift in tone. Jesus is there to reconcile us to God, but most of his mortal ministry focused on reconciling us to each other -- and the sin of succumbing to fear makes that reconciliation impossible. He is calling his disciples into a life that fear cannot sustain. You're right that it's an understandable and even biological response. What we do with it? Do we nurture it? Feed it? Or, do we cast it out?
Love thinking about the link between reconciliation to God and to our fellow man. And appreciate the distinction between experiencing fear and succumbing to, or indulging it. Thank you, Chad!
Thank you so much for this thoughtful and much-needed piece on the detrimental and debilitating effects of our fear. The second great commandment to "love one another" isn't possible without challenging these pervasive fears. Thank you for letting us explore ideas for overcoming this very natural state. It was exactly what I needed this morning. I wish this could be published in the NYT, the Washington Post, or somewhere that EVERYONE could read and ponder this Christmas Season.
This was a fabulous post! I particularly loved the list describing "assertive love" and the list of practical ways we can practice "fearless assertive love." I want to feel this love and act in these ways, but I often fall short...because of fear. I am getting better at seeing "with the eyes of my heart," but still struggling to act on what I see...because of fear. Most often I am afraid I may act in a way that will offend, so instead, I often choose not to act. Thank you for helping me see that to follow Jesus is to practice "assertive fearless love." I admire your work, esteem your writing, and I especially delight in your skill of teaching tricky truths in such a simple, clear way. Thank you!
Gorgeous piece. I love the bulleted list of “ordinary” actions, postures, pattern-breakers. These are the intersections where amygdalae and habits must yield to present moment hope and present moment cocreation-with-other. Sounds like a recipe for love; the gift of fear here is it can be a message to us, a hunger pang for love.
Thank you Sarah. I love this line: "The gift of fear can be a message to us, a hunger pang for love."
This really hit home for me this morning. Thanks for your thoughtful message.
Thanks for making a comment Janice. This inspiration last night after an advent service hit home for me too.
This piece has been an open tab for several weeks now. Having finally spent time with it, I feel called out and confronted in the best possible way. Why am I so afraid of so much so often? And how will I ever break fear's fearsome grip? Thank you for rending the veil covering the answer. It is the same one always, isn't it? Him. The One. The Lamb.
When I remember (really and truly) that He does not push me into the dark but instead always always joins me there, fear flees and I move. Bless you for your ministry here and elsewhere. May my heart become more like yours.
What a powerful comment Scott. I love the idea of Jesus not pushing us into the dark, but joining us there --- powerful stuff.
We so need this message these days and always. Thank you, Chad.
Thank you for this, Chad! Love the message. I was assuming the central problem/solution posed Christianity would be sin/atonement. Surprised when you listed “sin of fear”.
I’d love to hear more of your insight sometime on when/how fear becomes sin (as opposed to understandable response to a perceived threat). You’re the man!
Hi Christian. I think Prothero would say sin/atonement as representative of what Christianity has become and how the religion answers the question. I was focusing more on Jesus's message in this piece and see a significant shift in tone. Jesus is there to reconcile us to God, but most of his mortal ministry focused on reconciling us to each other -- and the sin of succumbing to fear makes that reconciliation impossible. He is calling his disciples into a life that fear cannot sustain. You're right that it's an understandable and even biological response. What we do with it? Do we nurture it? Feed it? Or, do we cast it out?
Love thinking about the link between reconciliation to God and to our fellow man. And appreciate the distinction between experiencing fear and succumbing to, or indulging it. Thank you, Chad!
Thank you so much for this thoughtful and much-needed piece on the detrimental and debilitating effects of our fear. The second great commandment to "love one another" isn't possible without challenging these pervasive fears. Thank you for letting us explore ideas for overcoming this very natural state. It was exactly what I needed this morning. I wish this could be published in the NYT, the Washington Post, or somewhere that EVERYONE could read and ponder this Christmas Season.
Thanks Lori. I appreciate your response. Please feel free to forward it to whoever you like!
Thanks brother for always teaching me to look beyond the immediate and embrace the intention. Alofa atu
Thanks my brother. Hope you are well.
This was a fabulous post! I particularly loved the list describing "assertive love" and the list of practical ways we can practice "fearless assertive love." I want to feel this love and act in these ways, but I often fall short...because of fear. I am getting better at seeing "with the eyes of my heart," but still struggling to act on what I see...because of fear. Most often I am afraid I may act in a way that will offend, so instead, I often choose not to act. Thank you for helping me see that to follow Jesus is to practice "assertive fearless love." I admire your work, esteem your writing, and I especially delight in your skill of teaching tricky truths in such a simple, clear way. Thank you!