I take no credit for this. It’s from a book I’m reading from John Ortberg. I thought it was challenging and true. 

The High Price of Fear

Fear motivates us to take action and remove ourselves from whatever is threatening us. Fear readies our body to flee, hide, or fight. Fear can help protect us from harm. when fear rather than trust becomes our solution to difficult situations, however, fear exacts a devastatingly high price. Consider the following drawbacks of fear:

Fear can strike when it is not helpful or wanted. 

Fear can be paralyzing instead of motivating.

Fear can cease to be sporadic and become habitual worry.

Fear threatens to keep us from trusting and obeying God.

Fear that causes us to avoid a difficult situation instead of facing it head on and taking action, kills personal growth. When we take the easy way out, we feel badly about ourselves because we learn that we can’t cope with life’s challenges.

Living in fear keeps us from experiencing our God-given potential.

Living in fear destroys our joy and robs us of life’s delights.

Living in fear causes us to focus on the negative.

Living in fear creates a loss of intimacy between us and other people. We become afraid to say what we think or feel, afraid of the pain of conflict. 

Living in fear causes us to believe that God can’t, or won’t take care of us. 

Fear limits hopes, dreams, and callings.

“The enemy is fear. We think it is hate; but it is fear.”