The Fear of Not Having Enough
One of Radical Mentoring’s best friends here in Atlanta is Jack Alexander, a successful entrepreneur, and leader in the Christian community. Jack has a passion for Jesus like few men I’ve known. His new book The God Guarantee offers keen insight into something we all face every day . . . fear. Jack says the enemy of love isn’t hate, but fear. All these years I thought it was apathy! Just when I think I’ve heard it all, along comes this book with new thoughts on issues plaguing us every day.
I think my son invented the acronym “FOMO” . . . he was 16 when he infected us with the fear of missing out. FOMO is like ‘offense’ . . . it’s afraid of not getting more. Jack’s book is more about the way we play ‘defense’ . . . the fear of not having enough. (I tried “FONHE” . . . don’t think it’s going to catch on like FOMO!) He tells story after story of how God guarantees provision, not necessarily prosperity. The book strongly condemns the ‘prosperity gospel’ and the way many TV preachers and hucksters misinterpret Scripture.
A few key points about fear . . .
- Fear is selfishness – It makes us think of ourselves while love makes us think of others.
- Fear is about self-protection – Fear keeps us from being vulnerable with each other. It keeps us hiding and never fully known by others. But love makes us vulnerable and more apt to be known, loved and helped.
- Fear keeps us from trusting God – We have our ideas about what God should do, and we’re afraid He won’t deliver. Grasping how and how much God loves us drives out fear and gives us peace and confidence.
The God Guarantee makes a compelling case for assessing your capacity, entrusting everything you have to Him, letting Jesus shape you through the challenges of life, and living in community with Him and with like-hearted people who trust and follow Him.
One final point I’d never considered regarding love, fear and selfishness . . . humans are inherently generous. We’re the only species that defies Darwin’s ‘survival of the fittest’ deal. (The book points out that Darwin never came up with an explanation of that!) We’re the only creatures who give freely to others at our own expense.
When I think about what holds me back from doing more, giving more, serving more and being bolder in my faith, it is, in fact, fear.
Scripture: For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)
Mentor Tip: Fear holds many great mentors on the sidelines. They will never know the joy of watching men grab hold of this ‘Jesus way of life’ through a mentoring group because they’re afraid. Love casts out fear. Do you love others the way Christ loves you? Ask God to give you the courage to step forward and lead your church to launch Radical Mentoring groups. Go here to get a coach and get started.
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Hey you are preaching to me!!