Anyway.....because that show had about six seasons, it is fair to say that many Americans did watch it. The fact that it had been aired in several other countries, such as Egypt, Romania and Malaysia as well as the production of board games and video games proves that the human race is fascinated with death defying stunts and watching others eat vile items as well.
Fear can come in all shapes and sizes. We (society) love the thrill side of fear. Roller coasters, horror movies, extreme sports. On the other end of the spectrum......fear can cripple and paralyze people as well. Phobias can range from claustrophobia (fear of closed spaces) to agoraphobia (general fear of leaving home or a safe place.....fear of open spaces/public) with thousands of other phobias in between. Fear of certain animals, weather conditions or health related issues. These phobias can rob people of peace and happiness with the constant disruption of their daily lives.
Fear can be a motivating factor. Some believe that it can be a positive one in some instances. This post came about because Josh called down to H yesterday morning and told him it was almost 6:00AM and he was going to be late for school. I looked at the clock and it only was 5:35AM. I asked him why he lied.....he then corrected me and said he really wasn't lying that it was almost six, it's just an individual's perception of time. (*roll eyes*). He said that the fear of being late would motivate him to get up right away. I disagreed....although fear can get someone to "do" something instantaneous....it is only short term. It will not stimulate people to willingly carry through these tasks by their own self interest. I know this is true because it took until 6:10 to get him up this morning.
Fear is an emotional response to threats and danger. Our society/the world is governed by it. Media can sometimes distort the truth to get people to buy certain products, stop using other products........even get vaccinated. (I'll spare you my conspiracy theory tangent)
I am editing to add (re: my friend Andrea's comment) that I do believe that a healthy dose of fear can be valuable in regards to safety. It can be the buffer needed for protection when facing choices in life. Rational fears can keep you from stepping out into traffic, traveling down that dark alley alone or mess with that beehive you stumbled upon. So yes, although these rational fears should not rule your life, they can help serve as a preservation of it.
So what does The Bible say about fear? My take is that there are two kinds of fear in The Bible. There is the "fear of the Lord" fear.....and the "spirit of fear".
Fear of the Lord means reverence....a feeling of deep respect tinged with awe. Respect for His power and glory. This fear brings us to a place of wanting/needing to honor, obey and surrender to God. It is encouraged. It also brings us to a place of better understanding and peace. Proverbs 1:17 begins with "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge........." .
Then we have the "spirit of fear" which, as I mentioned.....can cripple and keep us from the life that God wants for us. This spirit of fear can creep in when our finances take a nosedive or when we get a poor healthy report. It then takes our focus off of God......who promises us no weapon forged against us will prevail. (Isaiah 54:17).
2 Timothy 1:7 tells us “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind”. When we trust in God, we should not possess fear of anything. But how many of us can really say this is true 100%.....all.the.time?
I, for one.... am guilty of possessing the "spirit of fear" sometimes. So this is something I need to work on. I want to get more of the fear of the Lord in my life......and less fear of all the junk/lies that the world throws my way. I need to remember that God loves me and when there is His perfect love, there is no fear. (John 4:18)......He is for me, not against me. I don't want to be manipulated by what the world dictates to me (Isaiah 11-13) or the "fear of the unknown"....no, I want the freedom and peace that trusting and obeying in God will bring.
So how about you? Where are you when it comes to fear in life? When you read about fear in the Bible....what comes to your mind/heart?
Peace and love~
*~Michelle~*
PS. for the record....I love roller coasters. ;)
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25 comments:
Okay, I am chicken little. I am one of those rare people who "hates" roller coasters and likes safety and security. For the most part this has been a blessing. It kept me out of lots of trouble as a teen and even an adult. I can't say I had noble reasons for saying NO to satans temptations...I was simply afraid of what "might" happen.
I praise GOD for giving me fear and for protecting me through-out my life.
Much hugs and prayers,
andrea
Great way to start out the new your! Fearless of the world, but God fearing.
OH Andrea....you are totally right, and I think I need to edit and add that we need a healthy dose of fear to keep us safe in life!
Michelle: I won't say I am afraid of things but I do have a healthy respect for some things. for example, I "am afraid" of being a house fire, an bad car accident or a tornado. Why I don't know! I think it is really the fear of what I can't control that bothers me. However, I am learning every day that it is not mine to change anyway. I cannot change the weather or whatever so trust that God knows what He is doing and is going it best. Allows me to live a "fearless" life. Good thoughts.
Everytime I'm faced with my own fear [like facing murderers or rapists at work], knowing that I have His protection, that fear always gets removed right away. Before seeing someone for sick call, coworkers will remind me to wait for the deputy before I see an inmate. Because I get too confident having Him on my side, I forget I need the earthly deputy to be with me to treat an inmate. Oh well...
I always tell my son that. It's the greatest thing to have that reverential fear toward the Lord. I feel that many evil things are being done because no one is afraid of God anymore. And some don't believe in the first place. They make their own gods.
This is way better than the "Fear Factor" show. I didn't learn anything from that but felt like nauseous.
"I feel that many evil things are being done because no one is afraid of God anymore" ~RCUBES
Yea and Amen!
I developed some claustrophobia over the summer, after having my first panic attack. I am trying not to let it consume my life and to confront it head on. And it works!
Fear is probably my greatest weakness. when I think of all the things I haven't done, because of fear, I'm left humbled. It is something God and I are working on together.
God post.
Michelle,
I find that the older I've gotten the more fear seems to dictate what I do and don't. For example I used to be pretty fearless as a child but I think its the responsibility that comes with being a wife and mom, that we can't take foolish risks because we have others in our lives we need to care for.
However there are those fears like flying for me, that have crippled me from visiting my own daughter for almost 5 years and instead I waited for her to fly to me in the summer. These are the fears I believe that are not from God and one's I need to work out.
Love and Hugs ~ Kat
I have never seen fear factor, because I cannot stomach the things they had on there!
I do think a bit of fear is healthy, and makes you stronger, but I still shake in my boots when a spider walks along...
(loved this post!!)
I can relate to Andrea, I hate roller coasters and other forms of fun-fear activities.
I want to grow in my fear of God. In being aware of all the ramifications/applications this can be having in my life. I want to refrain from engaging in a spirit of fear and grow in my trust and reliance on God.
I can relate to Andrea, I hate roller coasters and other forms of fun-fear activities.
I want to grow in my fear of God. In being aware of all the ramifications/applications this can be having in my life. I want to refrain from engaging in a spirit of fear and grow in my trust and reliance on God.
I used to love roller coasters. Even if I was afraid, I would go anyways because I knew that I would be glad that I did and sorry if I did not. I guess you could say that I faced my fears. I seem to do that a lot. If I have a fear, I face it head on. I never want to let it rule me. Except that Godly fear or that you talk about here, letting my reverence and awe of who He is dictate my behavior. "Living fearless of the world and yet God fearing" I like how one of your commentors put it.
I like the way you differentiated between the two types of fear. I had a lot of fears as a younger person. Like you say a certain amount is healthy but too much is too much. I think in the past few years God has really dealt with me in the area of fear/trust. We moved overseas and life came in fast furious unpredictable waves...I could write volumes on this topic. Loved hearing your thoughts and hopes.
Michelle,
You are such a sweet heart!
Big hugs,
andrea (your chicken little friend)
I have seen fear prevent some dear friends of mine from pursuing their God-given passions. It breaks my heart. We need to fear God but not fear the world. Great post!
BTW, I am hosting a fiction carnival over at my place. It will be fun for all even if they aren't normally fiction writers. I hope you check it out!
You love rollercoasters? Yeah, right. Now I remember. But only if there isn't a greaseball attendant? Hehe...sorry, couldn't resist.
Fear. Good topic. Since you asked, my greatest fear is 'people.' I know, right? That's probably the worst fear you could have, cuz let's face it, there are so dang many of them! They're all over the place. Well, that's all for now. Gotta go take a valium. Deep breathe...
HA Deb! Good memory....no, that was greasy traveling rickety carnival rides. I am taking Six Flags/Universal Studio style.
People? Really? I would have never thought that with your personality.
"A man without fear is a man without hope."
On the principle I suppose that if you don't value or desire anything, you can't fear losing it.
I suppose the trick for us is to know that the hope we do have is larger than any possible fears. To let our legitimate fears be swallowed up in the loving hope.
Or something like that...
I cannot believe that show ran that long. I never watched it though. I had my own fear to contend with. :)
Great post with good scripture back up on fear! Thank you for taking the time to post!
Man, I love roller coasters too!!! Space Mountain look out!
Unhealthy fear is a hole that faith hasn't filled. Good read.
OKay, I am a chicken. A wimp. A wuss. A baby. I need this sometimes~
I have struggled with much fear in my adulthood.
It is only by trust in God and His grace that I have calmed down as much as I have.
For this I am truly grateful!
I've learned that an unhealthy fear is an invitation to stare it down.
It will be fun for all even if they aren't normally fiction writers. I hope you check it out!
Work from home India
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