Did you know that fear can be used an instrument to overcome another type of fear? Or that it can be used as an agent of empowerment? I know this sounds strange. It did to me too when the idea of this post first popped up.

I know you have a series of questions: how does fear overcome fear? Is fear a virtue? Shouldn't faith be the opposite of fear? Doesn't the Bible, as well as other good books, condemn fear?

First and foremost, let me begin with the last question mentioned in the preceding paragraph, and I will be answering the questions from that order in this post, although with no particular reason or placement of validity of the question.

Let's delve in.

Doesn't the Bible, as well as other good books, condemn fear?

It is not exactly true — even though it might be easy for anyone to say "Yes" when giving a straightforward answer to the question above. The answer is "no." This is it: the Bible and other good books condemn “bad" fear. By the term bad fear, I mean any fear that keeps you bound, holds you back, makes you commit blunders/sins, disrupts your life or your pursuit of true happiness.

But then, even the Bible supports “the fear of the Lord" as a way of showing reverence — it supports running away from every sight of evil “as in terror" (fearfully). Why? Because the end product is destruction. Also, any good book you pick up on this subject of fear emphasizes the fact that one should think of the consequences of one's actions to decide what to do or avoid. That's it right there. We can use fear creatively too!

For instance, the fear of ending up in jail should keep you from breaking the law — not just The Ten Commandments, but your country's laws! Don't you fear ending up in jail?

Shouldn't faith be the opposite of fear?

To this question, I would say: "Sometimes!"

However, whatever the opposite of faith is is inconsequential here. What matters instead is the effect of a “good" type of fear. Sometimes you don't need faith to claw yourself away from seeming temptation but another fear. So in such cases, yes — fear becomes the opposite of another fear.

For instance, I have two remarkable fears when it comes to examination.

Number one: the fear of being caught while cheating. This fear is based on the fact I know the consequences of being caught cheating in an examination — I could be expelled, embarrassed, or even asked to face a disciplinary panel to explain why I opted for cheating instead of studying to pass. This fear would drive me to study even the most uninteresting material or textbook. You see, it's now beyond faith in my intelligence but fear of the consequences of cheating.

Number two: the fear of looking “dumbfounded" in the exam hall, not knowing what to write. I am the type of guy who likes to look good every time, even in an examination hall. I can't afford to be clueless because I didn't study. It amazes me when I see clueless students in the exam hall. I tell myself, “Oh, I can't be in those shoes. It will be devastating for my mental health.”

Is fear a virtue?

Let me say this really quick before I proceed: fear isn't a virtue but an instrument!

We can use fear as an instrument of empowerment like I do when I'm studying for exams sometimes. This doesn't mean I use this fear every single time I need to take an examination. No. I love studying, but if I am not motivated to study for the love of it, my two fears allow me to keep my books open.

That's why fear can be an agent of empowerment!

How does fear overcome fear?

This was the first question, and like I hinted at the inception, I am discussing it last.

Your fear of one thing can help you overcome your fear of another. For instance, if you have the fear of public speaking, you need to realize that many professionals have made a fortune from public speaking. What this implies is, if you're in a line of business where public speaking could help you explore other streams of income that you are afraid of exploring, you need to know that that fear of public speaking is keeping you from your wealth. So, let your fear of being broke push you to tackle your fear of public speaking.

Many have allowed their fears of the effects of one thing ginger them to overcome a particular fear in their lives.

Learn to use fear as an agent of empowerment!