The nature of fear

Sefer Avrei Nachal tells us (Parshat Vayeitzei), "Fear is like a magnet that attracts metal.  It has the ability to direct the object of a person's fear toward that person.  As the Passuk says (Iyov 3:25) "that which I feared has overtaken me."  That is the nature of fear:it draws forth the object of our dread and makes it real."

...A person does not protect himself, only Hashem can protect him.  Fear serves no useful purpose for man.  It merely intensifies our negative emotions and can potenially bring adversity upon us.

from "It's all in your Mind" by Sara Yosef

The more that I read of this book the more that I see just how well it strengthens the message of OA.  In the fourth step we examine our fears and look at how they are effecting us.  Rebbetzin Yosef sums it up so well.

Face life with joy, despite your fears.

Dealing with anxiety.  You take the information from your head, you take the imagery from your heart and you take the concrete action from your gut.  These three things together come from the mind, heart, liver-Moach, Lev, Kaved.  Together they spell out Melech, you have to be the king over your mind heart and liver, then you have to turn it over to Hashem because Hashem is the true king.

Our real fear comes from our fear of our sins and its consequences.  Guilt causes anxiety.   Sometimes it comes from guilt from actions long ago that we do not even remember.

The trick is to know that you are afraid of your fate because of your actions.  Do not be pained, be critical of your misdeeds.  Worry, how am I going to bring more kedusha into my life?

We have to respond by knowing that nothing happens unless Hashem wants it to.  Bravery, not being afraid of anything, comes from a blockage, a lack of the knowledge that life is precious.  If you truly value life, you will be afraid of doing the wrong thing, that will bring bad results.

Real courage comes from doing the right thing at the right time. A real tzadik understands that every second is enormously precious as a means, not as an end.

There is a place for anxiety, it can bring a person to improve themselves. If you have bitachon you will be able to face life with joy, despite your fears.

from the Shiur:

Anxiety

Teacher: Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller Class: Bitachon: Meaning of Trust

Added: January 13, 2008