Fear
What are we afraid of, and why would this fear prevent us from escaping the bondage of addiction?
What we fear most is pain. Ultimately this is what we are trying to escape when fear takes over. We may be afraid of the pain of bodily harm, or it may be emotional pain.
Fear is one of the strongest emotions, we, as human beings respond too. There is not much that can motivate us more than fear. Fear can cripple us and it can render us ineffective. Because of fear we will do almost anything.
Our attempts to escape fear lead us into a path that we believe to be more pain free, more level, a smoother road to travel.
All of the while, we are depending on something outside of our self to cope with the events of life as they unfold.
Our fear is that we may not be able to handle life without the aid of drugs, alcohol, or what ever it is that we have used to dull the pain and help us to escape reality.
We have become dependant; the crutch we have used has become so familiar that we would be lost without it. It has become such a habitual part of our life and even the chemical changes in our bodies have told us how badly we need these substances.
It is a fearful thing to face life alone after years of looking to something to get us through and give us aid and comfort.
The fact of the matter is that we can pass through that doorway into a life free from the bondage of addiction, but fear keeps us immobile, and pride refuses to allow us to reach for help.
Once again we turn to the Bible and God’s promises to us.
After all, we should have by now been able to admit that we cannot do this alone and we have admitted we need God’s help.
So when we turn to Him for that help he tells us not to be afraid.
He speaks to us in verses such as:
Luke 12.4-5 “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.
There is the proper priority, fear God, not man.
That does not make it any less fearful perhaps, but it should make it more hopeful. Just because something may be difficult does not mean that it is impossible.
To leave behind a life of bondage is a goal well worth attaining and it can be done, as it has been done in the past.
We need support to help deal with the fear and to give us the hope we need to carry on from day to day. It may be the longest journey you ever take, but it will be the most worthwhile.
It’s Ok to be afraid, but it is not OK to let that prevent you from doing what is right.
Fear- to be uneasy, anxious or doubtful
The less people tolerated us, the more we withdrew from society, from life itself. As we became subjects of King Alcohol, shivering denizens of his mad realm, the chilling vapor that is loneliness settled down. It thickened, ever becoming blacker. Some of us sought out sordid places, hoping to find understanding, companionship and approval. Momentarily we did - then would come oblivion and the awful awakening to face the hideous Four Horsemen - Terror, Bewilderment, Frustration, Despair. Unhappy drinkers who read this page will understand!
Fear somehow touches about every aspect of our lives. It is an evil and corroding thread; the fabric of our existence is shot through with it. It set in motion trains of circumstances which brought us misfortune we felt we didn't deserve. We think fear ought to be classed with stealing. It seems to cause more trouble. Some of us once had great self-confidence, but it didn't fully solve the fear problem, or any other.
We agnostics and atheists were sticking to the idea that self-sufficiency would solve our problems. We were having trouble with personal relationships, we couldn't control our emotional natures, we were a prey to misery and depression, we couldn't make a living, we had a feeling of uselessness, we were full of fear, we were unhappy, we couldn't seem to be of real help to others.
Perhaps there is a better way - we think so. For we are now on a different basis; the basis of trusting and relying upon God. We trust infinite God rather than our finite selves. We are in the world to play the role He assigns. Just to the extent that we do as we think He would have us, and humbly rely on Him, does He enable us to match calamity with serenity.
When we saw others solve their problems by a simple reliance upon the Spirit of the Universe, we had to stop doubting the power of God. Our ideas did not work. But the God idea did.
When we sincerely took such a position, all sorts of remarkable things followed. We had a new Employer. Being all powerful, He provided what we needed, if we kept close to Him and performed His work well. Established on such a footing we became less and less interested in ourselves, our little plans and designs. More and more we became interested in seeing what we could contribute to life. As we felt new power flow in, as we enjoyed peace of mind, as we discovered we could face life successfully, as we became conscious of His presence, we began to lose our fear of today, tomorrow or the hereafter. We were reborn!
We never apologize to anyone for depending upon our Creator. We can laugh at those who think spirituality the way of weakness. Paradoxically, it is the way of strength. The verdict of the ages is that faith means courage. All men of faith have courage. They trust their God. We never apologize for God. Instead we let Him demonstrate, through us, what He can do. We ask Him to remove our fear and direct our attention to what He would have us be.
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