Should Fear Guide Our Decisions?

The deadline was looming. I had to find another apartment, but all the ones I had seen so far were either too expensive or run-down. Only one was halfway decent. Despite many red flags, I signed the lease because I was afraid I wouldn’t find anything else. It was a mistake.

Life is full of decisions, both big and small. If we examined the motivations behind the choices we make each day, we’d be surprised by how many of them are based on fear. But why is letting our apprehensions and anxieties direct our steps such a bad idea?

If we read the Bible for any length of time, we are sure to come across the expression, “Do not be afraid.” Fear is one of our most basic emotions, and for good reason – the world is full of dangers. It’s our natural “fight-or-flight” reaction to a threat, but it should never be the main factor in decision-making. We can use it as a “warning system” for danger, but we should never allow it to become our master. If we let it control us, it can lead us astray by impairing our ability to evaluate a situation correctly. More often than not, it convinces us that what is only a possibility is, in reality, a certain outcome.

Going back to my apartment example for a moment, what did fear tell me? It convinced me that the place I had so many doubts about was my last chance. If I didn’t take it immediately, I’d have nowhere else to go. Fear persuaded me that I had to act immediately instead of trusting God to provide something better. But it was all a huge distortion of reality. The day after signing the lease, a perfect place became available. Thankfully, I was able to get out of the agreement, though it cost me a hefty fine.

Does this mean that we should always ignore fear? Of course not. God designed fear for a purpose. If we see an out-of-control car careening toward us, we shouldn’t ignore the voice screaming “Run!” in our heads. But the problem starts when fear exaggerates the threat and leads us down the path of doubting God and his promises. We then have to choose whom to believe – God or fear? Who do you think is best qualified to tell us what to do?

We will always feel fear; it’s a natural reaction to the world around us. But it’s our choice whether to let it have more influence than it should. The more we focus on what God has said and choose to trust him, the less fear will have its stranglehold on us. And our decisions will be all the wiser.

*For more on how to deal with fear, read: How I Overcame Fear Through Victory in Christ