Fear is a powerful emotion. Not only does it affect the entire person, but it is also detrimental to entire organizations, from families to congregations. People will not eat because of the fear which may lead to serious physical consequences. Many sleepless nights are the result of fear causing stress, which leads to increased adrenaline coursing through our veins and keeping us awake. Fear also creates a lot of “what ifs” that paralyze and derail us, leading us to making false assumptions, which often brings a chain-reaction of harm, disrespect, inaction and mistrust.
But behind making baseless assumptions out of fear is something worse. It causes us to think the worst of the person about whom we are making the assumption; and it worsens the situation about which we assume the worst. Rarely, when the fear of “what if” is gripping us do we think or make good assumptions about another person or a situation that is causing our fear. And for Christian people, if we are making fearful assumptions, we end up attacking that person’s character, integrity and commitment; we also disrespect that person — the very opposite of being like Jesus.
Assumptions. Be slow to make them. Don’t let fear fuel the fire in making them. Nothing good ever comes from such actions and words.
“Therefore, encourage one another and build up each other…”
– 1 Thessalonians 5:11.