We are fascinated by fear. We mix heavy doses into our entertainment, our conversation, our plans, and even our dreams. Usually, we make fear out to be the villain in our story but that’s not totally fair.

There is another side to fear, a better, more noble side. In celebration of that, here are the 7 best things I can think of about fear:

#1 – Fear has your best interests at heart

Fear is trying to keep you safe. And let’s face it, you need to survive. Given some of the crazy things you attempt, fear has its job cut out for it.

Fear is making you think and prepare. It wants you to look before you leap. Because there might be some stairs or a bridge nearby and then you would look silly.

#2 – Fear is good at its job

Fear doesn’t claim to be the end all, be all. Courage is not its job. It just does one thing. Fear makes no apologies for this. Someone has to look out for you. So, watch out for that coffee table!

#3 – Fear is only half the story

That means the best part of your story is beyond fear. Fear just wants to make sure you get there in one piece. So, don’t look to fear as a counselor. Don’t dwell on fear. Don’t let fear stop you. Fear is the legal disclaimer at the front of your story that keeps you from getting sued.

#4 – Fear means you’re doing something right

Fear of the unknown means you’ve reached the edge of your comfort zone. It means you’re learning something, testing your limits, growing. You are being proactive instead of waiting passively. It means you’re risking failure in order to attempt something better. And that is the path to success.

#5 – Fear is temporary

Fear goes away once you start doing something. Because your brain can’t do something and focus on fear at the same time. When you look away, it goes away.

#6 – Fear is just a feeling

Fear is not a fact or an obstacle or a limitation. Fear is just a warning alarm going off in your subconscious based on your experiences in the past. But you are creating new experiences that will change how you think. Fear is a caution sign, not a stop sign or a direction sign.

#7 – Fear leads you to faith

God fears nothing. When Jesus calmed the storm, he did not say to his disciples, “Oh ye of little courage.” He said, “Do you have no faith?” When scary things happen, they make us realize our limitations and cause us to seek a higher power.

Fear gives us the motivation to reach back to our most comforting, courage-inspiring relationship – God. The more we hang around the One With No Fear, the less fear we have.

What do you think?

These are my 7 favorite things about fear. If you have some more, please share them in the comments below. We’d all love to hear them.

Now, let’s go out there and face the day with courage. Woo hoo!

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Proverbs 9:10