It was 1991’s “New Age fantasy” released under the title Defending Your Life. Albert Brooks and Meryl Streep played two individuals who had died unexpectedly and had arrived at the “judgment point.” In this fanciful depiction of judgment, fear, not sin, was the primary item of significance. What was important was not so much that they had felt the emotion of fear, but how they had responded to it when it appeared. Had their response been courageous or cowardly?
In spite of the many and major theological shortcomings of the movie, the focus on fear is not totally without biblical support. Sixty-five times in Scripture we find the admonition, “Do not be afraid.” The vast majority of times, the admonition comes from the lips of the Lord.
Yet, so often we are afraid, and sometimes we respond to fear in cowardly ways. Because of fear of being rejected by his peers, the eleven-year-old ignores the screams of his conscience and accepts the “joint.” Because of fear of failing, the young secretary decides not to apply for the promotion to “office manager.”
Fear of what someone might think prompts us to hide our true goals. Fear that someone might laugh causes us to bury our talents. Fear that she might say “No!” prevents him from ever asking. Fearing making a commitment, one misses the blessing of companionship. In fear of loss, one decides not to love. Preoccupied with a fear of death, one dies without ever having lived.
“Childish fears” that were quite natural and even healthy in our childhood take on a different character as we mature. In our process of arriving at adulthood, we either tame our fears as we take hold of our life, ripping it from fear’s grasp, or fear becomes the monster and master of us. Cowering in our self-made cave of reluctance, we watch life wistfully from a distance. Or running from the monster’s snarling threats, we miss out on the joys of life’s challenges and victories.
Coming to maturity, both as a person and as a Christian, requires that I assume the mastery over fear. Acting in faith, I look for opportunities to boldly defy fear’s hauntings. Living by faith, I challenge head-on those settings that most bring me fear.
After all, I am no longer a child. Having become a man, the call of life and faith is for me to put away childish things. The time has arrived for me to step forth in courage in spite of my fears. That is faith. That is maturity.