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Doing tasks you hate or are afriad to do - 6/10/2009 2:24:46 AM
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tHEwESTERNrEBEL
Posts: 42
Joined: 5/15/2005
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Thought I would post this in the Career area.
This is in reference to being asked to preform tasks at work that we are afraid to do, because it is dangerous or because we simply don't like to do it.
I personally don't like heights. So, working on roofs, ladders, scaffolds etc are things I avoid at all costs. But, lately I have had to because of job needs, be exposed to this sort of work. Now, most people who know I am a believer in God like to poke fun at me for my fear of heights and so forth. It is very hard to tell others that there are certain things you are really put off by doing them, when the only reason is fear.
Now I am coming to terms with something, that is very hard to deal with for me. Aren't Christian believers supposed to be free from all fear? But, yet when I go onto a high place or roof and so forth, my fears come back and I begin to hear all kinds of condemnation from the enemy about how I must not be trusting in Christ. Is it reasonable to assume that if we experience fear, for any reason at all, that we are not trusting in God anymore? Some people, even those who are not saved seem to have no fear at all, preforming dangerous acts like drunk driving, and even basic things like working on roofs and so forth.
Then there is the concept of facing ones fears, and that all fears must be cast out, but is that entirely true from a Biblical standpoint? If fear is a sin and so forth, than being afriad of anything is sin or is my theology wrong?
< Message edited by tHEwESTERNrEBEL -- 6/10/2009 2:55:00 AM >
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RE: Doing tasks you hate or are afriad to do - 6/10/2009 6:59:24 AM
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rebakahblam
Posts: 1587
Joined: 12/6/2008
From: Indianapolis
Status: offline
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quote:
because it is dangerous
I don't know if you are in the US or not, but OSHA guidelines ensure the safety of workers. If an employer is asking you to do something that is clearly unsafe to yourself or others, you have the right to contact your local division and complain.
quote:
or because we simply don't like to do it.
They call it work for a reason...you don't always get to like what you do, but you need to always do things as unto the Lord.
As to your specific situation - I completely understand having fears, personally I'm afraid of balloons..laugh all you want, but there are far too many right angles in this world to let balloons on the loose...they'll end up popping and scaring me!! It's an irrational fear, yes, but is it evidence that I don't trust the Lord or that I am not trying to live for his glory? no.
Looking at the root cause of a fear can help you overcome it. Are you afraid of heights because of something negative you experienced with heights when you were younger?
quote:
Aren't Christian believers supposed to be free from all fear?
I think you're reading too deeply into having fears like mine of balloons or your's of heights...we should not fear condemnation or damnation. We should not live in fear of the world or what it can do to us..but I personally don't believe having one or two irrational fears means that you are sinning or failing to be a mature Christian.
quote:
Is it reasonable to assume that if we experience fear, for any reason at all, that we are not trusting in God anymore?
Trust or mistrust is not proven by the presence of fear, but in the action - - do you act out of fear? or do you take your fear right to the Lord? That is the difference.
quote:
Then there is the concept of facing ones fears, and that all fears must be cast out, but is that entirely true from a Biblical standpoint?
I think that you can overcome your fear by gradual exposure and prayer.
quote:
If fear is a sin and so forth, than being afriad of anything is sin or is my theology wrong?
I am not trying to make light of your true concerns but I really do think you are reading into this way too deeply... you have a fear of heights - okay, lots of other people do too - that does not equal a total lack of faith or disregard to the truth of God's authority and protection.
I believe the enemy has used this small situation to convince you that you are somehow sinning or not truly trusting the Lord.
I don't think having fears like these to be a sin so long as they do not lead you to question the Lord and as long as they do not stop you from living for his glory.
-reba.
_____________________________
<<<<can't nobody pull off aviators like i can.
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RE: Doing tasks you hate or are afriad to do - 6/10/2009 7:41:50 AM
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rgod
Posts: 1938
Joined: 4/25/2005
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: tHEwESTERNrEBEL
Thought I would post this in the Career area.
This is in reference to being asked to preform tasks at work that we are afraid to do, because it is dangerous or because we simply don't like to do it.
I agree with Reba here - here are OSHA guidelines and if you are being asked to do something that violates them, then that is wrong.
quote:
Now I am coming to terms with something, that is very hard to deal with for me. Aren't Christian believers supposed to be free from all fear? But, yet when I go onto a high place or roof and so forth, my fears come back and I begin to hear all kinds of condemnation from the enemy about how I must not be trusting in Christ. Is it reasonable to assume that if we experience fear, for any reason at all, that we are not trusting in God anymore? Some people, even those who are not saved seem to have no fear at all, preforming dangerous acts like drunk driving, and even basic things like working on roofs and so forth.
Then there is the concept of facing ones fears, and that all fears must be cast out, but is that entirely true from a Biblical standpoint? If fear is a sin and so forth, than being afriad of anything is sin or is my theology wrong?
When I read the bible, I see a lot of "Fear Nots" but I don't think that God condemns us for fear. Some fears are good. We should be afraid to drive drunk. We should have a little fear (or maybe a better word would be respect for the danger of heights) when working on roofs or in high places so that we don't get up there and decide to tap dance  . Those things are dangerous. We are told to fear God - that is the beginning of wisdom. So, there are some fears that are good.
But, the other fears - the phobias, the things that hold you back from doing what God says to do - I'm not sure about those. I don't think that if we have the emotion of fear, that we are condemned because of it. I didn't see God chastising anyone because they felt the emotion of fear, but rather because of the way they acted once they felt the emotion. It seems to me that when we have a situation and fear comes upon us, and we know we are to move forward - then we do so - even if we feel afraid inside - we move forward remembering who God is and that he will equip us - no matter what.
_____________________________
"The road to the promised land runs past Sinai." - C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain
"It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until he has hurt him deeply." - A.W. Tozer
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RE: Doing tasks you hate or are afriad to do - 6/16/2009 11:02:27 PM
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slushie
Posts: 2205
Joined: 4/30/2006
Status: offline
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I believe that when God tells us to "fear not" He means that He wants us to know that because of Him we don't have to be afraid anymore. However I don't believe that he'll condemn anyone for fearing, as the posters have said, but rather because of the action that came about.
He won't condemn us for being tempted. However, if we are tempted and THEN we sin... then of course that is wrong.
_____________________________
Testify to Love
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RE: Doing tasks you hate or are afriad to do - 6/17/2009 10:36:48 AM
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moon_mouse
Posts: 410
Status: offline
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One thing to keep in mind is that what we perceive as fear is not completely a product of our thoughts and will, especially when it comes to things like heights. Human beings are naturally cautious of heights. I remember seeing a documentary where babies were placed on a high table. Half of the table top was clear plastic. The pattern on the floor was different from the pattern on the table, so the baby perceived a drop off, and would not cross the clear plastic, even when a mom was calling for the child to come to her. So, being in high situations causes a natural anxiety that IMO God placed in us for our protection. Some people, because of the way their inner ear is structured, are more sensitive to vertigo. It's not that they are psychologically or spiritually weaker. It's a matter of biology. You may well be one of those people, and thus you have a greater challenge to overcome. Trusting God doesn't mean the visceral anxiety goes away. It just means that you trust God for the grace to get you through that, if you must do it. However, I also see nothing wrong with asking God if He could show you a way to support yourself through work that doesn't require that. What is to say that God might not, in His mercy, find another way for you?
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RE: Doing tasks you hate or are afriad to do - 7/1/2009 12:25:03 PM
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PixieSunBelle
Posts: 100
Joined: 4/12/2007
Status: offline
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simply, if i am afraid... i won't do it.
i won't do heights and if i am picked over the shoulders i scream blood-curdling screams...
yup extreme fear of heights. simply i won't put myself in a place where i'll get over it...
i don't think thats wrong that i let it stay a fear... i just don't do anything that requires me
to deal with heights. i won't ride roller coasters, climb, or ride horses (well they aren't bad but they
go too fast...)
however, if you feel convicted to overcome your fear, then thats good and then you should overcome it.
_____________________________
[img]http://dn.daisypath.com/5pVUm4/.png[/img]
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