The Rebbe on fear – very beneficial

 

We fear many things.

 

We fear illness and death.

 

We fear losing a job or falling into poverty.

 

We may fear being alone, or we may fear other people.

 

And then there is the fear of not being accepted by others – by our families and friends, our colleagues and neighbors, by society at large.

 

Fear, anxiety and depression are the underlying factors that drive much of human behavior today, yet they are among the most misunderstood forces in peoples lives.

 

In their most acute form, they paralyze us.

 

How can we deal with these forces?

 

Why are we afraid and what are we afraid of?

 

These are not simple questions to answer, for fear is a tremendous and complicated power.

 

It is silent yet devastating, leading to anxiety and, ultimately depression.

 

When you are consumed by fear, your judgment is distorted; you become frozen by doubt, unable to make the simplest decision.

 

There is a natural, healthy fear of the unknown that often protects us from danger.

 

But the cause of this fear is right out in the open, and serves a valuable purpose.

 

The more common fear, and more formidable fear, is one that doesn’t allow us to identify it; lurking in the shadows, it thrives on our ignorance.

 

Think of a child who is afraid of the dark.

 

There is no rationale behind such fear, and yet no words can explain it away.

 

The only thing you can do is assure him that you are there to protect him.

 

You can take him by the hand and turn on the light, showing that there is nothing to be afraid of.

 

It is the same with doubts.

 

There is often no basis to our fear, and even when there is, we may exaggerate its power to the point where it holds us hostage.

 

Fear is born of doubt and confusion.

 

Should I accept this job or shouldn’t I?

 

Will I be able to handle this problem or won’t I?

 

What will my family and friends think if I make this change in my life?

 

Such confusion is anathema to a human being; the emotional strain can be debilitating.

 

Clarity is one of our greatest blessings.

 

When you resolve doubt, you feel as though a heavy weight has been lifted from your heart.

 

Even if you think you may have made a mistake in your decision, you can at least see clearly what lies ahead of you, and you gain strength and confidence to move ahead.

 

A person who does not have a clear objective in life remains confused.

 

And confusion breeds more confusion; once we get entangled in the web of fear and anxiety, we only become more enmeshed in confusion and discouragement.