面對恐懼 -「不懼怕」

然而，還有第三種反應，這種反應是所謂的心理學專家不可能推薦的。這種反應很簡單，就是「不懼怕」。不久前我聽到一位來自西非獅頭山國的講員說：「不懼怕」這個詞出現在聖經裡365次，似乎是一年裡的每一天都需要一次。

因為獅子山共和國在最近幾年經歷了不少患難，從經濟困境，伊波拉病毒的爆發，到內部不和，所以講員在苦難這個議題上受了很好的訓練。而他表示他決心要遵循「不懼怕」的勸誡。

對照我們所處的工商專業界情況又如何呢？那是動蕩不安、不可預測、而且可能在一夜之間王子變貧民的環境。企業家們知道開創一項事業是有風險的。同樣地，公司裡的主管和經理常常在壓力下工作；若沒達到公司要求，他們就要打包走人，另謀高就。

工作中，當我們面對偉大計劃的最後期限，往往會伴隨著相當大的焦慮，例如：特別感到計劃似乎不切實際或難以達成；另外，當一位重要客戶對我們的產品或服務不滿意，而他的理由是我們無法掌控的，我們會害怕失去他們的生意…。可能的失敗潛伏在每個角落。所以我們如何能「不懼怕」？

從人來看，要「不懼怕」是不可能的，即便可能也是非常困難。但因為這命令來自上帝，所以祂應許在艱困的時候會供應我們的需要。以下就是一些訣竅：

倚賴上帝的同在。當大衛要把以色列的領導權傳給他的兒子所羅門時，他勸誡他說：「你當剛強壯膽去行！不要懼怕，也不要驚惶。因為耶和華神就是我的神，與你同在；他必不撇下你，也不丟棄你，直到…工作都完畢了」（歷代志上28章20節）

依靠上帝的力量。當困難來臨時，我們常想憑藉著自己的才能與力量解決。然而，上帝告訴我們，要依靠祂和祂的資源。「你不要害怕，因為我與你同在；不要驚惶，因為我是你的神。我必堅固你，我必幫助你；我必用我公義的右手扶持你」（以賽亞書41章10節）。

信任上帝的目的和計劃。當意料之外的挫折發生時，我們會懷疑上帝是否關心？甚至祂知道這個狀況嗎？不用擔心，祂應許祂確實知道，也確實關心。在患難之時祂絕不會丟棄我們。「我知道我向你們所懷的意念是賜平安的意念，不是降災禍的意念，要叫你們末後有指望」（耶利米書29章11節）。

There is, however, a third response, one we are not likely to hear recommended by supposed experts on the human psyche. This reaction is simply to “fear not.” Not long ago I heard a speaker from the west African nation of Sierra Leone who noted the words “fear not” appear in the Bible 365 times, seemingly one for every day in the calendar year.

Since people in Sierra Leone have experienced any number of adversities in recent years, ranging from economic struggles to outbreaks of the Ebola virus to civil discord, the speaker was well-schooled in the subject of fear. And yet he repeatedly declared his determination to follow the exhortation to “fear not” – “do not be afraid.”

But what about the environment where we spend much of our time, the business and professional world? It is volatile, unpredictable, and can turn a prince into a pauper virtually overnight. Those possessing an entrepreneurial spirit know starting a business is risky. In the corporate world, executives and managers are constantly under pressure to produce; failure to do so can result in having to pack up their offices and find employment elsewhere.

Ambitious deadlines often cause considerable anxiety; fear arises when those deadlines seem unrealistic or unattainable. When a key client or customer becomes unhappy with our products or services, we fear losing their business, even if their reasons for dissatisfaction are beyond our control. Potential failure lurks at every corner. So how can we “fear not”?

Humanly speaking, this is difficult, if not impossible. But since the command comes from God, it seems accompanied by His promise to provide what we need during difficult times. Here are examples:

Rely on God”s presence. As David was preparing to surrender the leadership of Israel, he exhorted his son Solomon, his successor as king, “…”Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work…is finished”” (1 Chronicles 28:20).

Depend on God”s power. When trouble arrives, we are tempted to deal with it in our ability and strength alone. God tells us, however, to rely on Him and His resources. “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).

Trust in God”s purpose and plans. When unexpected setbacks occur, we wonder whether God cares – or if He is even aware. He promises He does know, and does care. He is never caught off guard by times of adversity. “”For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”” (Jeremiah 29:11).

© 2015. Robert J. Tamasy is vice president of communications for Leaders Legacy, Inc., a non-profit based in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A.