Hi ~

In Untwisting Scriptures #3 I wrote about the 6 types of fear I found in the New Testament. Three types of fear, I found, were healthy and good. Three types were unhealthy and possibly even harmful.

One type of fear I observed was for sure born of sin: the fear the Jewish leaders felt of Jesus because they might lose their exalted position among the people. That was the same type of “fear of man” King Saul felt when he feared being usurped by David.

Then there’s the “fear of man” that is fear of being publicly rebuked and scorned by the perceived “highers.” Or the “fear of man” that is related to being cast out of one’s community and losing all relationships.

The “fear of man” I referred to as “relationship” fear. Because that’s really what it is—fear of loss of relationship. Fear of shame. Fear of abandonment.

Here’s the reason Proverbs says, “The fear of man brings a snare”: We can allow fear of man to keep us stuck in a toxic place and even away from God.

It can be terrifying to think of being publicly rebuked and scorned by those you have respected.

But I remember when a friend was excommunicated and the leaders at the women’s shelter cheered for her.

It can be absolutely devastating and grief filled to lose all the people in your life.

But we can know when we get out from that toxic environment that the Lord is still our solid Rock, and there are new Jesus followers to support us on our journey.

Maybe you’ve experienced something like this. If so, I would love to hear from you about it.

And I’d love to invite you to the Called to Peace Retreat next week. Many Jesus-loving women will be there, many of whom have faced off with the “fear of man” and have been finding hope, peace, and even joy in the Lord on the other side.

Plus a whole tribe of others who have experienced a similar trial. You are not alone.

God bless you, and I hope to see you there.

Rebecca

Untwisting Scriptures at heresthejoy.com

See my Untwisting Scriptures series

Trauma-informed Christian book coach at Rebecca Davis WordWorking

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