What are you afraid of?

[alcoholrehabcoach]

Good morning everyone,

I was just sitting here reading through some posts, and I'm noticing how often people run as soon as they are confronted with something that is difficult. Specifically, I'm noticing how so many people avoid answering difficult questions. My question is WHY! Don't you realize that answering the hard questions for yourself is what ultimately makes everything so much easier?

And rest assured I'm certainly not putting myself above doing that - I know I've done more than my fair share of running, too. But if there is one thing that truly sets me apart from other people, it is my EAGERNESS to learn.

You see, I know from personal experience, that the more you learn, the more you earn. On the other hand, I totally understand the idea of sticking with the devil that you know, rather than opening the door for something else.

But I still don't get it! Why do people run from the truth that will set them free? If you really and truly believe in your own Highest Power, and if you have truly accepted this God given ability not only to protect yourself, but also to create for yourself...

Then what the heck are you afraid of?

Please tell me because I'd really like to hear your views.

Thanks,
Mike

[annalittlebit]

I've come up with a few fears--------------But when I really think about them---They're really foolish----------So as soon as I can come up with a Valid Fear I'll be back----Great Question---Thanks

[Humblepie]

This is a brilliant question. For me I believe when I fear I am lacking in faith because in God's love I have nothing to fear and I do believe in God's love. This means fear separates me from God, separation from God is my definition of hell and what separates me from God is sin.

The more I am able to see the illusions that are my fears the closer I am to God so to run from my fears is to run from God. As the big book might say (it doesn't say this exactly) fear is one of the things that is blocking me from the sunlight of the spirit.

The idea is to see the truth that my fears are illusion and be set free of them by that truth.

I'm thinking along the lines of rejection or "the great lie" that if people really know who I "really" am they won't like me.

It's late and I have to get up for work in 5 hours. I'll give this some thought tomorrow and see if I can come up with anything.

Thanks for the question.

[admin]

Don't you realize that answering the hard questions for yourself is what ultimately makes everything so much easier? Yes

Why do people run from the truth that will set them free? They are not yet ready to face the truth and/or accept it and then have to possibly do something about it.

Then what the heck are you afraid of?
Some of my past fears have been:
Getting honest about my drinking because if I did that then I might actually have to do something about it.

Having to look at myself because then I would have to quit blaming others and everything else and admit the truth about myself and then have to do something about myself.

One of the biggies that I was afraid of was turning my will and life completely over to the care of God. That meant to me giving up total control and I just couldn't do that.

But when things finally did change was when I did get honest about my drinking and when I did take a look at myself ( a good long, hard look) and did something about myself. The biggest change occurred when I surrendered all to God as I understand Him becoming unafraid to completely turn my will and my life over to His care.

Another fear has been what others might think of me. Today what matters is what God thinks of me.

[gettinfree]

Hey Mike...When i began recovery 29 years ago, the people that were there to help me get started wern't very nice! In fact they were down right mean. They were acting like theirs and my life depended on how they passed on this program. Those who didn't run got sober...those who ran...didn't. our no's never showed great percentage of success. As i find myself in recovery again after many years away...I'm finding nice people to help me...AA feels real soft. Are we afraid were going to scare off the newcomer. NA has got some meat...But still feels soft. Where's Clancy, Chuck C...where's the beef?...Mike

[gettinfree]

ps just figured out who you are...your 'Ask Mike'... good to meet ya. Ive been meaning to investagate "your space'. This site is so big...one thing at a time. I seem to have gotten strung out in tammy's word games...great release! ya ought to give it a try sometime...look forward to getting into your treads...your friend...Mike

[janbear]

When i am in fear of anything its because i am not applying my faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. He creates me, protects me, not myself. I am grateful the 12-step program brought me back to the truth that sets me free-the Lord.




"Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:32

[Humblepie]

So what your saying bluikiti is we are afraid of change. I used to hate change, I thought it meant I would lose some control over my fragile world.

Losing control. When I was young I was afraid to swim out in the ocean because I couldn't see what was under the surface. I was afraid of the dark again because of what I could not see. I also had a fear or did not like sleep because I had to give up conscious control.

So perhaps it is fear of the unknown that caused my fear of change.

Freedom from fear is the Power of surrendering to God every morning.

[alcoholrehabcoach]

Now we're gettin' somewhere!

Thank you all VERY much for sharing.

Anybody else?

And hey! Where's the "Bowing-down-in-awe-of-all-your-friends" smiley?

[annalittlebit]