Don’t Let Your Fear Feed On Ignorance.
Fear is a basic human emotion, with a very natural function in our lives. It is very much part of our survival mechanism. Although it’s not pleasant to experience it, psychologists say its appearance is actually a sign of good mental health. As long as it is a reaction to a real danger. On the other hand, when it arises from an imaginary threat then it becomes a neurotic symptom and manifests itself in anguish.
As you investigate this post more critically, prayerfully I can clearly illustrate that there is an intrinsic link between fear and ignorance and fear of the unknown.
Like other emotions, fear can reach different levels of intensity. It can go from a simple suspicion to full blown panic.
When fear is of a lower level, a situation is relatively easy to deal with and/or overcome. However, when the level of fear is high, it can completely override one’s rational mind, causing that person to react uncharacteristically.
Neurotic fear can sometimes become more gripping, and can continue its hold on a person even after the stimulus that awakened it has disappeared.
In addition, the way we live and some of the plans we make in life, that are built entirely around this kind of fear, can completely enslave the person overcome by this fear. Sadly, more often than not, this type of fear can unfortunately incite an individual or group of individuals to act accordingly.
So, what are we suppose to do when ignorance and fear of the unknown approaches us and grabs hold?
The Bible says, ”I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.” (Psalms 34:4,5)
In the Qur’an (Allah says in translated meaning), ”And go down from it, all of you. And when my guidance comes to you, and whoever follows my guidance, they will have no fear, nor will they grieve.” (Surah 2:34)
Enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong are two important duties imposed by God in Islam, as revealed in the Quran and hadith.
The Bible says, there is no fear in perfect love, for perfect love casts out all fear, for fear brings torment. The perfect love that I thank God is referring to is knowing that you’re walking in his will, and nothing ever happens outside of God’s will. It could also allude to the fear of judgment after death. If one loves God and do due diligence and serving him the best way they can, there should be no fear of passing from this life into the next.
Thank you for your thoughtful comment Christopher. Interestingly enough, this is coming after the posting on Joseph/Yoseph/Yusaf. In sharing my Jewish response to the wonderful writing of my dear colleague and friend, Imam Mekye, I noted that we as humans are limited with good aspects and those that are, shall we say, not good yet. We certainly look at our world and watch those who refuse to act in any way that is not through hubris and self-aggrandizement, witnessing the profound harm they do.
Fear of G-d is actually understood in Judaism as AWE, which is a more accurate translation of the Hebrew phrase “Yirat Shamayim.” We as mere mortals are in AWE of the majesty and largess of G-d and if we come to terms with our limitations as B’nei Adam — mortal human beings who are all the son of Adam — then our AWE of G-d can actually bring comfort to the fears we may have as human beings both in considering our world as we know it and beyond in what we refer to as the world to come or “Olam HaBa”.
Thank you for being part of the Interfaith Library community and wishing you well in all that you do.