Have you ever stopped to think about the fact that we live during a time when, if you want, the technology exists for you to monitor, record, and evaluate almost everything that happens in the course of your day? To some degree, this technology and influx of data give us a sense of control. And control is something many of us seek, especially when we are afraid. Fear and control seem to have a reciprocal relationship. The more we fear, the more we want to control. The more we try to control, the more we fear. And the cycle goes on. It seems we are living in a time of heightened fear in almost every sphere of life: spiritual, political, societal, familial. Not only do we fear the unknown, but we fear that we ourselves may fail as we seek to live faithfully in each of these spheres. Fears have real consequences, which can lead us, in an effort to exert control, to set unhealthy and potentially destructive expectations of ourselves and others.

Do you wake up each morning with an expectation that everything you will say, do, and think is going to be perfect? If you do, and you are honest with yourself, you will realize quickly that this is unattainable and unrealistic in this fallen world (Rom. 3:10). Yet, the perfection many still seek is due in part to a fear of failure. The fear of failure is quite common. Husbands don’t want to fail their families in terms of providing. Moms, in particular, don’t want to fail in the nurturing of their children. Students don’t want to disappoint their professors or parents in their academic performance. In one sense, these fears are good and healthy. They influence and motivate us to work hard for those whom we love and respect. On the other hand, when a fear of failure leads to unrealistic expectations of self, unhealthy work or study habits, or paranoia of never measuring up in others’ eyes, we can easily fall into despair, worry, and sin.