A few weeks ago, someone suggested I do a blog series on fear. When I saw the request I thought: That’s a great idea…but writing on fear means wrestling with fear so I’ll put that one off awhile. Fear is one of my biggest battles. I fight it—or give into it—all the time.

Several years ago I went through a period where I was so gripped by fear that I had to have my husband pray aloud over me at night and sing worship songs with me just so I could fall asleep. In the past several years I’ve had moments where I was so paralyzed by fear that I turned down invitations and missed out on experiences.

Just this morning I lamented the fact that turning down an opportunity out of fear two years ago disqualified me from a new opportunity I wanted to take advantage of today. That got me thinking about what it is I’m really afraid of—and why.

My fear is really my arrogance suggesting that I think my way of doing things is better than God’s way of doing things. I fear because I’m not in control. Fear makes God little and circumstances big. In some cases fear can even make me seem bigger than God. Is the same true for you?

Think about it:

• Fear of the death of a loved one questions God’s judgment over the fact that there is a time to be born and a time to die (Ecc.3:2) and fails to believe that God will continue to take care of me (Phil. 4:19).
• Fear of failure questions God’s ability to work all things together for good (Rom. 8:28) and doubts that God really has plans to prosper me (Jer.29:11).
• Fear of rejection stems from the fact that God’s love isn’t enough for me (Rom. 8:39) and I am really aiming to please men and not God (Gal. 1:10).

Think for a moment about your biggest fears. What do they say about your view of God?

The greatest adventures I’ve had in my walk with God have come when I was most afraid. Getting published came as a result of stepping out in faith and attending a writer’s conference even though I had no clue what I was doing. Marrying my husband only came after the uncertainty of dating a guy who was studying abroad in another country for four months. Traveling the country and speaking at events came as a result of getting over my fear of large crowds.  

We all seem to have different fears, but if we look at them closely they really boil down to a few common fears we all have. This week on the blog we’re going to look at just two of the fears that plague us. If there’s a good response in the comments section—and this is a topic you are interested in—I’ll come back for an encore.

On Wednesday we’ll talk about relationship fears and what our lack of trust really says about us. And on Friday we’ll talk about our fear of failure and not measuring up.

But, in the meantime, let’s talk about fear in general.

 What is your biggest fear? How do you typically view God in light of your fear? How have you seen God do a great work in your life when you trusted Him even though you were afraid?