I am still thinking about the impact of fear in a leader’s life.
Perhaps the topic of fear is persistent because I know it personally. Coming face-to-face with fear is a sobering reality, but I have discovered it is only a symptom of a heart problem. As we are reminded, through Lead Like Jesus, fear shows up when we:
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Put something else in God’s place as the one we worship
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Rely on other sources for our security, self-worth, and wisdom
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Put others in His place as our primary audience and authority
I was taught to be tough, a pull-up-your-bootstraps kind of person. I was taught to live courageously and yet fear still came. I have used others words to describe it – concern, angst, or apprehension—but fear was the root. I tried to do more and try harder in every role in my life, but there was still fear that I may not be enough. I continued to learn and grow in knowledge and experience, but there was still fear that I didn’t know enough or have the best experience needed. The list goes on.
The world demands so much and everything is measured and assessed to ensure the accomplishment of a goal. The frantic pace of trying to meet everyone’s measurements was overwhelming and frankly, the bootstraps failed me. It was then I looked at my heart and learned that I was relying on others or things as my security and self-worth and that I was playing to the audience whose pull was the strongest. Since this fear was intermittent, I would face it and solve the problem and go on, never really dealing with the root issues. It was time!
I remembered the words of Jesus, “Come unto me…and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). I did go to Him and I was not measured or assessed. I was loved without condition and in that space allowed Him to examine my heart. Fear was painted on it. Three verses gave me a taste of what could be.
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives our fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. -1 John 4:18
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. -2 Peter 1:3
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.-2 Corinthians 3:17
Don’t glance over these verses too quickly. Within these verses are the secrets of a fearless and free life.
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We can live a fearless life! A heart fully surrendered to God as the One worshiped, as the source of all security, self-worth, wisdom and as the primary audience and authority for life creates fearlessness. Can you imagine not being bound by the what-ifs? Can you imagine what you would do if you had no fear?
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We already have everything we need. Do we know what we have? The very nature of God lives within us providing for us at every level. So when life is hard and circumstances are overwhelming, He is there giving us all we need. It is why we can be devastated, but not destroyed. It is why we can be assured that even when life does not turn out the way we expected, we can know we will still have everything we need. Will you believe that today with me?
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The Spirit in us means we are free. Even though performance and results are important, we are not bound by them. We can wake up each morning as a new adventure, knowing that because of His Spirit we are freed to lead. Are you a leader who is freed?
As a leader, your fear is detrimental to everyone in your spheres of influence. Will you take the time to face fear in the quietness of your heart and think about these three verses and receive a fearless and free life? I have known these truths for a long time, but now I can taste it. And it is good!
Written by Phyllis H. Hendry
