Cultivating a Life Without Fear: Day 3

     Day 3: Our Greatest Fears

Many scholars have set out to identify our greatest fears. Most lists of fears include things such as Glossophobia, the fear of public speaking, and Arachnophobia, the fear of spiders. While fears such as these are the ones most often talked about, they’re not necessarily our greatest fears.

Instead, one of the greatest fears that people have is the fear of not belonging. Students, young adults, and even the elderly will often walk into a new environment (classroom, work, church, other) and will immediately ask themselves, “Do I belong here?” Or, “Is there a place for me here?” And the sad reality is, many will change their appearance, or even the way they talk if they think it’ll help them to fit-in and feel like they belong.

Another common fear  for many is wondering if they’re enough. “Am I good enough? Am I pretty enough? Am I thin enough? Am I smart enough? Am I strong enough? Am I worthy enough? Am I ______ enough?” Within our culture, questions like these are regularly on our minds. And far too often, we give-in to believing we don’t belong and/or we’re not enough.

As you read today, consider this: Which of these fears resonates most for you? 

READING:

     Ephesians 3:16-21;  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; 1 Corinthians 6:11; Philippians 1:6

Which of these two fears have you struggled with more often:

• Do I belong here?
• Am I __________ enough?

Think about a time when you felt like you didn’t belong. What happened that made you feel that way? What emotions did you have? 

What word would you use to fill-in-the-blank in the question above? Why do you think you have questioned (or are currently questioning) whether you are ______ enough? In other words, what may be at the root of this fear?

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, today’s reading led me to realize how often I think negative thoughts about not belonging, or believing the lie that I’m not enough. I’m reminded that Jesus came from heaven to earth and died because of the exact opposite. He wants me to belong to Him, and He sees me as somebody who has tremendous value — so much so that He would choose to die for me. Thank You for this wonderful reminder! In Jesus’ name. Amen.