I recently heard someone say that people have one of two core fears. The two core fears are:
- You will not be accepted
- They will leave you
I know people who teach on core fears, and they always explain that there are several. But I think they can certainly all be boiled down to these two.
I have a definite fear of not being accepted and it has the tendency to affect everything I’ve done my entire life. I don’t get too close to others because if they knew the real me, they wouldn’t want to be around me. I don’t go for big goals or a new career because I fear I’ll get told no. I’ve been a people-pleaser my whole life (I’m currently in recovery – ha!) but it’s all because of that core fear of not being accepted.
And I can see the fear of people leaving being played out in the lives of others that I know. They hold on too tightly because they don’t want someone to leave. Or they distance themselves emotionally so they won’t get hurt when people do inevitably betray them and leave.
But I don’t want to live in these core fears anymore. I want to live in the freedom that Christ provides.
Ephesians 3:12 says that “In him and through faith in him, we may approach God with freedom and confidence.”
I love that promise. If we have faith even as small as a mustard seed, we can go to the Lord in confidence, knowing He will never reject us or leave us.
Here are a few verses to combat your core fears:
“For the Lord will not reject His people; He will never forsake His inheritance.” Psalm 94:14
“The righteous cry out and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:17-18
“I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you.” Joshua 1:5
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
“And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20
What is your core fear? Which one do you most closely identify with?