Fear is a natural response to a threat of some kind. It may be a bodily threat, as a mugging or floods. It may be a threat of loss of self-image or status, of financial security or career. It may be a threat to the well-being of our loved ones, our children. I think other than the first, bodily harm, we tend to categorize fears as something other than fear. We may minimize it, by calling it anxiety or concern. We may even explain things as simply ‘the way I am,’ or he/she is, or we may give information but not all of it. In order for us to fear less, we have to recognize fear for what it is, not minimize it or explain it away. Once we recognize it, we can exercise our self-control under the Spirit and address it.

Fear understood in reactions and motivations

We need to consider fear perhaps in terms of our reactions and motivations to better recognize it. For today’s example, we may consider the fear of not mattering or not measuring up. How does this manifest itself? I’m certain this varies by personality and personal circumstances. It may be reflected in wanting to keep up with the latest styles, it may be that we are the loudest or funniest at every event. We seek approval or affirmation from others, and we play the game of keeping up with others and capturing attention. We double and triple check everything we work on for excellence and maybe even delay starting because of the underlying fear. Is it fear? We may minimize it by calling it being outgoing or saying that we ‘have to be’ or ‘like to be stylish’ for work. We may give ourselves the excuse that the boss demands such attention when we check things over and over.

You matter to God

When the fear of not measuring up or mattering to others permeates us, when it drives us to act in specific ways, we broadcast that fear to others. Fear drives people away; it drains others of the joy of being with us. Fear causes us to forget who we are in Christ and how good He is. This particular fear puts our focus on others, not on ourselves and not on God. But it is God who must be our center and our focus. When we focus on Him, on his character and actions, we regain the right perspective.

You matter. Jesus made it plain as day when he died for you. He said that you are worth it when he surrendered to death so you could live. His father has knit you together in the womb and breathed life into you with His Spirit. He has a good plan for you, to prosper you and give you hope. He works things together for your good. God loves you and He likes you. When we fully understand that we matter to God and He is the primary one that makes a difference, then we no longer fear. (John 3:16, Psalm 139:13, Job 33:4, Jeremiah 29:11, Romans 8:28, Zephaniah 3:17)

He fills the gap

When we fall short of the measuring line (because we will), we have to recall his power in us. The work that Christ sets out for us may well be the job we have and struggle every day to succeed at. It may be loving our neighbors or those we try to keep up with. When God puts us in these places, He not only accompanies us but fills us with the power to be and do what is necessary. We can stop struggling to perform well or keep up because He works in us to do what is necessary. His Spirit enables us to do as we are called despite our own limitations, ‘And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work,’ as in 2 Corinthians 9:8. We will abound and not fall short of what is needed because the Spirit is in us, equipping us for the work that He calls us to. When we are or do 75 or even 90 percent of what is needed, God steps in with the 25 or 10 percent that were missing. He builds it in us and meets the gap, even when the gap is 99 percent or 99.99 percent. We need to show up with Christ. Filled with the Spirit, we are enough. We need not strive to measure up to the ‘others’ because we know that we are full of the Spirit which is sufficient for all we require.

You matter to him, just as the sparrows do. He cares for the sparrows and knows how many hairs you have on your head (Matt 10:29-31). He guards you so you don’t fall (Jude 1:24). When we are tempted to fall back into garnering attention or approval, into buying the latest and being just like the others, remember that you matter. He made you to be you and His power works within you to do immeasurably more than you can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20).