FEAR, THE GREATER DISEASE
While appropriate fear is a good thing and will help man take correct evasive action, there is a point in life where fear becomes a disease. It is important for governments and people to take evasive action against the pandemic that is currently plaguing the world. However, the phobia generated by news outlets has in some ways produced a greater disease than the one we are facing. It would be interesting to evaluate if fear of death and phobia generated by the coverage of the coronavirus pandemic has altered the mortality levels in any way. If the virus has been making the rounds since December 2019, it would be worthwhile to study, using antibody testing the penetrance of the disease in the population and the incidence of mortality from presumed coronavirus disease before March 2020 when extensive coverage of the pandemic began. Comparing that with current mortality would definitely be instructive.
The Bible certainly elaborates on the negative effects of fear. The reason for fear is man’s finiteness and his lack of control over circumstances. Ultimately, his fears can be traced back to the greatest underlying fear in man- that of death. Death becomes fearful only because man is unique among God’s creation, having been created with an eternal soul/spirit. This eternity within refuses to be reconciled to the reality of death. It would be odd to consider animals ruminating endlessly about the prospect of death. True, animals have fear embedded onto their instincts, which help them avoid danger. However man is unique in that he allows the instinctive fear to multiply manifold in his mind, so much so that his whole being and his life is then controlled by the fearfulness rooted in his consciousness. Fear begets paralysis. Life comes to a standstill. Is there a solution?
The Bible teaches us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of all wisdom. In other words, when you have right fear- that of fearing the Lord, all unreasonable fears are removed. When the exodus of Israel brought them on to the periphery of Canaan, the land God had promised them, Moses sent out spies to evaluate the land. They came back and reported of a land flowing with milk and honey, but allowed their fear of the people and their cities to get the better of their faith. Only Caleb and Joshua saw the situation differently.
Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes and said to the entire Israelite assembly, “The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them.” But the whole assembly talked about stoning them. (Numbers 14:6-10)
Why was their viewpoint different? In God’s own words, “because my servant Caleb has different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly-–” (Numbers 14:24). God has created man with a need to worship Him. When that becomes true to the extent of wholeheartedly following God, as in the case of Caleb, a different spirit and a mindset follows. Such a person will not allow life’s circumstances or people around to intimidate him. It is not one of throwing caution to the winds and doing some thing stupid, but allowing the fear of God and the wisdom of God to guide his thoughts and his life. It allows him to live life free of fear and paranoia, go about his life in the midst of uncertainty, knowing that no disaster will come near him and that God’s angels will guard him in all his ways (Psalms 91:10,11).
The greatest blow to fear was when Jesus died on the cross and overcame for us the curse of death. When man’s ultimate eternal yearning is satisfied through the reality of eternal life through faith in Christ, there is no longer an ultimate basis for fear. When all fears are considered within the framework of absence of death, fears are no more than concerns. Death has lost its sting. In the words of Paul,
“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” (1Corinthians 15:55)
To be afraid or to be fearless is a choice. The former makes a desert of the life we have been granted in this world. The latter is borne out of faith and helps man see the invisible and embrace the impossible.
