Finding Meaning Beyond Our Fear

Twenty years ago, a priest asked during his sermon, “What would you do for God if you weren’t afraid?” That question prompted me to begin writing these Lenten posts. It was a small step, but I’m so glad I braved my fear. Writing has made my life richer and, I hope, helped some people along the way. So, now I ask, “What would you do for God if you weren’t afraid?” Sadly, fear often holds us back from creating meaning in our lives.

I once studied a book called Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway, by Susan Jeffers. In fact, in 2015 my Lenten posts were focused on fighting fear. You can still find them on this website www.BettyArrigotti.com by clicking on “Fear” in the right-hand column. God has promised us that love casts out fear, so if fear is holding you back from some worthy venture, love a little harder, and ask God for strength. I’m sure it will result in you finding more meaning in your life.

If fear is holding you back from volunteering, or starting a new learning path, or connecting with that interesting person you met—if your fear isn’t caused by true danger, feel the fear and do it anyway. Yes, you may be bad at what you try. Everyone is at first. Yes, something a little embarrassing may happen, but it will make a great story later as you laugh at yourself. Yes, you might find out you don’t enjoy your new venture, but that just means you are a step closer to discovering something different that you will love!

I have heard from a few people about their experiences as they read these posts and tried to apply bits of them to their lives. One person sent me an example of her art, an interest she developed later in life. She is adding beauty to the world!

Another told me about seeing a family that was asking for money on a street corner. He passed them, then drove around the block and gave them $20. He was particularly touched by how wonderful it made him feel to have helped. Of course, we fear that some people beg in order to get money for drugs or alcohol, but that is between them and God. What the gentleman did was between him and God. And I bet God smiled.

One woman wrote that she will be moving away and needing to find a new job, so she pondered what brings her joy and makes time pass unnoticed. Now she knows just what kind of work she wants to find!

I love hearing feedback! It makes my day and “gives meaning” to these posts! Thank you!

I’ll leave you with a few of my favorite quotes about fighting fear:

• In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of shortcuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the faint-hearted, for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things — some celebrated, but more often men and women obscure in their labor — who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom. Barack Obama

• Motherhood is not for the faint-hearted. Frogs, skinned knees, and the insults of teenage girls are not meant for the wimpy. Danielle Steel

• Courage is fear holding on a minute longer. George S. Patton

• There were all kinds of things I was afraid of at first, ranging from grizzly bears to ‘mean’ horses and gun-fighters; but by acting as if I was not afraid, I gradually ceased to be afraid. Theodore Roosevelt

• This process of the good life is not, I am convinced, a life for the faint-hearted. It involves the stretching and growing of becoming more and more of one’s potentialities. It involves the courage to be. It means launching oneself fully into the stream of life. Carl Rogers

• Your dream has to be bigger than your fear. Steve Harvey

• Logic and cold reason are poor weapons to fight fear and distrust. Only faith and generosity can overcome them. Jawaharlal Nehru

• The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear. Nelson Mandela 

• The most often repeated commandment in the Bible is ‘Do not fear.’ It’s in there over two hundred times. That means a couple of things, if you think about it. It means we are going to be afraid, and it means we shouldn’t let fear boss us around. Before I realized we were supposed to fight fear, I thought of fear as a subtle suggestion in our subconscious designed to keep us safe, or more important, keep us from getting humiliated. And I guess it serves that purpose. But fear isn’t only a guide to keep us safe; it’s also a manipulative emotion that can trick us into living a boring life. If what you are doing is important, you will encounter resistance. If what you are doing isn’t important it will be easy. Donald Miller

Try one meaningful (but not dangerous) thing this week that scares you. See how you feel afterwards!

I’ll be praying for you!

Betty

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