Fear not!

My Dad is bigger than your Dad!

“A fear-free climate” Last week I heard this statement at a company lecture in connection with an integrated hazard, risk, & vulnerability assessment which is geared towards  helping colleagues recognise and combat the  first signs of stress!  One of the main discourse points was about fear and that a company will only be ultimately successful if they can provide a constant caring & fear-free climate for employees. Unfortunately it has become common practice for bosses to exploit the workers instead for the sake of profit.

The discourse went on to explain that it is human to want to give our best and about the need to feel appreciated for our efforts.  Anxieties at the workplace are one thing but we also have another and more important life outside of the workplace.

There are many accounts of having fear in the Bible. One of the greatest and most memorable was the battle between the giant Goliath & the youngest of three sons, David.  Even if we are not religious, most of us have heard how in the face of all odds – David defeats Goliath with only a catapult  and by putting his trust in his faith and ultimately wins a great victory in the name of God.

Every day we face challenges and threats that may take the form of a type of Goliath in disguise.  These problems and worries can seem unconquerable to us and can fill us with fear and despair if we let them.  We can read on in the Bible that Goliath was killed.  Today it’s not so easy to defeat an enemy or even recognise one. The enemy doesn’t have to be human.  It can also be something deep in the pysche and personality that is not intact or healthy for us and that we need help to get to grips with.  Indeed, something that is deep within our soul that we are not consciously aware of.  We put up barriers to protect us but these barriers can also stop us from becoming receptive to the help that we need and can’t sense.

The need to feel appreciated is nothing new but when the time comes to put on the suit of armour before going to work because we are frightened of being attacked or confronted at every turn, of losing our jobs, of not being perfect, of showing that we are vulnerable, even human, or not strong enough to cope. Instead we pretend we are something we are not and adopt let’s say a ‘big mouth’, or perhaps we stand on a few toes, or put on an attitude of indifference instead. To put on an act for our co-workers just so that we can get through the next working day!  I ask you – what is that for a life?  For all our faults, God still loves us and he is above all patient and won’t let us down. You can count on him to help you, when you need it most.

It is a sad day when we forget how to be forgiving and compassionate too. How to treat the next person with respect and understanding.  How to put aside our ego for the sake of someone else’s happiness.

The Lord doesn’t give us deadly weapons in order to protect our souls.  Instead he teaches us qualities that can be learned and nurtured such as humility, honesty and relying on nobody but God to help us win those battles that we face.  These too are powerful weapons that can help stuff all those big mouths and kill all of the Goliaths whose only wish it is to dishearten, discourage and deject us.

One of my favourite psalms is The lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear. Don’t let fear keep you down or make you give up.

For WH – 31.03.2011 – I won’t forget you.