Chronicles of Running: Week 7 (Overcoming Fear)

I am a planner and a rule-follower. I like to know what the specific expectations are, in almost every situation, so I will know where I stand. Unfortunately, life does not always go according to plan. In fact, it rarely does. I had big plans for these last 8 days leading up to 'race day'. Getting sick was not part of the plan and also completely out of my control. Isn't that what fear is usually about...what we can't control? Fear of the unknown?

If hope is truly the only thing stronger than fear, then the real question is "In what or whom do we hope?" If our hope is in things or people that will fail us and disappoint, fear is likely to rule in our lives again and again. Just a hint...if our ultimate hope is found in any human person (including self), we will be let down and disappointed...every time. Only when our hope is in Christ, salvation through grace and His Word, will fulfillment be possible.

Some different themes emerge when we see hope mentioned in the scripture. Ironically, one involves seeing the essential fear God and hope in Him mentioned together. This 'fear' is deep respect, rather than actually being afraid. If we choose to put our hope in Him, the only one who can satisfy the desires and hopes of our hearts, then He is worthy of our reverential awe.

Another aspect that goes hand in hand with hope is patience. If we are hoping for something, then it has not yet come to fruition. This requires waiting, while continuing to trust that God will accomplish His purposes and keep His promises. I tell my 3-year-old that patience is waiting with a happy heart. He understands that language, but I don't think we are always happy when waiting patiently. Sometimes it means being peaceful and calm in the waiting. Even when waiting is agony and we don't feel like it will ever end, we can still choose to allow God's peace to overwhelm us in the midst of it. When hope is involved, it is inevitable that waiting is also part of the process.

The interesting thing about hope conquering fear and that requiring waiting is that we can also choose to unnecessarily extend the wait by giving into fear. If we do not step out in faith and do something God is clearly leading us to do, we are stalling because of fear. Fear of failure, fear of losing security or fear of the outcome are all possibilities. None of them are good enough reasons to hold back. Fear of anything except God is not from the Lord, as 2 Timothy says. It goes beyond simply stating that "God did not give us a spirit of fear and timidity," and goes on to tell us what he did give us. He has give us a spirit of "power, love and self-discipline". We have access to THE all-powerful, almighty God who has placed His power in us. Really, what do we have to fear? (Psalm 27:1) The answer is nothing and no one, period.

So, it really comes down to a decision. It's a decision we have to make over and over again with every temptation to give into fear. It's a choice to not be controlled by fear, even when circumstances and outcomes are outside our control. Bill Cosby said "Decide that you want it more than you are afraid of it." There can be an 'it' every day. There is also an underlying, universal 'it' for us, as believers. To be confident in Christ, a seeker of His will and to have the deepest desire to obey and follow His lead, without fear, is what I want to "want more than I am afraid of it". It's not easy, and we will not do it well 100% of the time, but isn't it a goal worth striving toward?

A final thought is that fear, in and of itself, is not necessarily a bad thing. We just have to be sure we are fearful of the right things. When I examine my fears, they usually turn out to be irrational, illogical and small, when I put things in perspective. Fear of God, instead of fear of man, is one example of good fear. Fear of not trying, rather than fear of failure, could be a great motivator that helps get us to the point of stepping out in faith. Francis Chan gives a fitting example, as well. "Our greatest fear should not be of failure, but of succeeding at things in life that really don't matter."

My next blog post will be my final in this series and will be post-5K race day. I'm really looking forward to writing it, (mostly because the running the 5K part will be over).  :)