Written by: Rev. Amy Mayo-Moyle & Rev. Megan Walther
A variation of the phrase “Do not be afraid” occurs in the bible 119 times. The words are said by angels, by prophets, by Jesus. “Do not be afraid” is said when people are being called, directed, and in need of hope. It is a simple message, yet one so difficult to obey.
Fear runs deep. It's a natural feeling, and often a necessary one. When we need to protect ourselves, fear bubbles up within us and helps us to be safe. Fear can be very useful. It can also be paralyzing and inhibit us from the risks of love and life. It can prevent us from letting people in, moving forward and being ourselves. It can stop us from putting our trust in God. In pastoral ministry, as I've sat with, counseled and journeyed with people through all kinds of life circumstances, I've found that fear is almost always present. A terminal diagnosis, a loss of sight, a child going off to college, a new job, a new baby- while many emotions swirl around, fear is usually one of them too. I assume the reason we find the words “Do not be afraid” so often in scripture is because God knows us intimately. God knows that often our first and most natural response to something new or challenging is fear.
An article in Psychology Today says that fear is, “a vital response to physical and emotional danger—if we didn't feel it, we couldn't protect ourselves from legitimate threats. But often we fear situations that are far from life-or-death, and thus hang back for no good reason,”(https://www.psychologytoday.com/basics/fear). It is those “far from life-or death” fears, that we will examine this Lent.
Lent is a time for us to confront the things in our lives that inhibit our ability to follow Christ completely. Sometimes people will give something up, sacrifice in order to draw closer to Christ who sacrificed for us. Other times people will add something on—do something new during Lent as a way of growing closer to Christ by being more like him. This Lent, I encourage you to try and shed the fears that hold you back and prevent you from fully relying on God.
I conducted an informal survey through conversations, a Facebook poll, and experiences in my own life and ministry to develop the six fears discussed in this book. It is my belief that they are fairly common. While you may not be able to relate to each one, I trust that reading about them will give you insight into the people around you, those whom God's placed in your life. Perhaps the words will speak to you personally, and help you to shed your fears. Perhaps they will speak to you about how you might help another shed their fears. Whatever the case, my hope is that this resource will guide you through Lent, helping you to grow in your faith and commitment to Christ.
Faithfully,
Rev. Amy Mayo-Moyle