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Fearless - Sometimes we seek to fear less so we can act fearlessly.
Fearless
Rather than striving to be among those who are fearless, we might more modestly aspire to being people who fear less. When we say about others that they are fearless, we usually mean that they are not stopped by opposition or threats of resistance from proceeding in accord their determination of whatever is right for them to do. We cannot know whether or to what degree they might have some feelings of fear, for we observe only their behavior. However, we are aware of our own feelings when we are faced with harmful situations that we cannot control, in which fear is a normal indicator of threat. That level of fear is, at least initially, beyond our power to manage directly. If we are not without fear, can we act fearlessly?
In a moment of deciding what to do when fear arises, most of us will in fact act fearlessly when the situation seems to us so in need of our response, that no matter what the consequences might be, we will intervene in some way if, for example, we see someone about to make a disastrous mistake. More often, though, on occasions when we recognize that we must decide even when fear is a factor affecting our freedom to choose, our most effective way of proceeding is to first use our gifts of reason and faith so that we begin to fear less, and then we can act as we think and believe we should.
We cannot directly manipulate or change our feelings of fear, nor would it be helpful if we could, for they are valid signs to us of threats, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual. However, we can examine the thoughts that initiate the feelings of fear, to determine whether they are realistic or are more imagined as dangers than the facts would support. Exercising our faith adds even stronger assistance for dealing well with the sources of fear. For, even if a threat proves to be real in terms of affecting our material well-being, we will likely recognize that we must act contrary to the feelings of fear attached to what we will do, lest we inflict spiritual self-injury by contravening our values.
Acting fearlessly does not mean that no feelings of fear are involved, but that we do whatever we think is right anyway. In some situations, we might have the experience of receiving such a strong sense of “this is mine to do” that we give no consideration to whatever doubts or fears might be present. Most of the time, whether almost instantaneously or with due consideration of the issue, if we seek the perspective of the loving Spirit of God within us, we usually conclude by choosing the greater good, even if at some cost to ourselves.
Love is fearless. Bringing our fears into the presence of love enables us to judge rightly and act accordingly.
Last Updated 11/08/2025