Jim Breuer recently said, “If a system survives by keeping everyone afraid… maybe it’s the system that needs to go.”
Apparently there is a “system” somewhere that is responsible for my fear. An invisible, undefined, all-powerful system that directly manipulates my anxiety.
Which is terrifying! But what’s really giving me ulcers is the suggestion that I need to take this system down. How in the world am I going to do that?
Where exactly is this system located? Is there a customer service line? A breaker I can shut off? What building do I storm to unplug the “Fear Machine”?
“Excuse me sir, which hallway contains the Department of Generalized Anxiety?”
The idea is courageous and inspiring right up until I try to do something practical with it.
Blaming “the system” for fear doesn’t actually solve fear. It just adds a layer of complexity. I’m still dealing with the same fears but now I’m also feeling stupid for being so easy to manipulate.
Am I supposed to just stop being afraid? I’m afraid that would create a new set of problems. Fear is what keeps me from doing needlessly reckless things like wrestling alligators, climbing skyscrapers, or visiting Chicago. Fear serves a purpose. Even if I could ‘shut it down,’ I don’t think I should.
And the people allegedly running this fear system are not going to dismantle it for me. If their power structure depends on keeping everyone nervous, hoping they’ll shut it down seems like a pretty lame strategy.
“Hey guys, could you please stop oppressing society?”
“Sure thing. We’ll switch on the ‘confidence system’ immediately.”
I’m afraid of being that naive.
My solution to fear is faith. Christianity does more to dismantle fear than my pitiful revolution against “the system.” If death isn’t the end of life, a huge percentage of my fear instantly disappears. God is in control of everything no matter how frighteningly chaotic everything appears.
That doesn’t mean the world suddenly becomes safe. Christians still lock their doors at night and avoid grappling large, toothy reptiles. But we don’t worry that ‘the system’ has any power over us.
(Psalm 56:3) When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?
