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The Fear of Confrontation

Writer's picture: Michelle A. JamesMichelle A. James

Every day that I sit and watch the news, I am in awe, shocked really, to see the mess in which this world is embroiled. If it's not crime, it's corruption; if it's not greed, it's immorality of one kind or another. There is no longer an ethical standard of living. It appears people have lost their moral compass and have veered off the streets of sanity into the ditches of degradation. We see these aberrations and tiptoe around them, minding our own business, gripped in a state of silence. Oh yes, we may discuss the issues behind closed doors with friends, family and coworkers, but when it comes to making a public outcry, our voices become plugged as fear creeps in.


Are we our brother's keeper?


Yes, we are! We are to be the voice for the voiceless, the help for the helpless, the hope for the hopeless, the strength for the weak.


We live in a world that is fractured and one that is rapidly losing the element of community. Community, where individuals unite together, interact and share life with each other. Folks fear confrontation with others because they may receive backlash, or opposition, or rejection, or pain (whether emotional or physical). Confrontation is not easy but it is sometimes necessary.


Who will go for us?


The Bible had two notable people mentioned who could be labeled as confrontational:

  • Moses was a voice for the people of Israel and helped to deliver them out of the land of Egypt. Although Moses had a speech impediment and tried to excuse himself from the task, God still used him to do His bidding. Time and time again, facing fear, Moses confronted the pharaoh by speaking out against the tyranny he imposed upon the Israelites. Moses was willing, in spite of his fear, to help his countrymen. He wasn't complacent to sit around and watch them suffer any longer.

  • John the Baptist was a lone voice in the wilderness, crying out to the people of his day to repent; to turn from their sinful ways and to prepare themselves to meet their God (Jesus was on the way.) John didn't allow fear to apprehend him but went boldly before Herod and his wife to confront them in the royal court, regarding their atrocities. In the presence of mockery and condemnation by others, John didn't care. He was on an assignment of grave proportions. He had a desire to see godliness prevail in the land. John used his voice to bring Truth to enlighten darkened hearts.


Who will be the Moses and John the Baptist of our day? Who will be bold enough to say, enough is enough? Who's willing to make a difference to curb the insanity, to stop the madness and to speak out on the sinful acts of those around us?


The educational system needs a voice. Political and governmental offices need a voice. Places of employment need a voice. Residential communities need a voice.


We are all waiting for "someone else" to come through because "any other person" will do. Yet, we have all been given a mouth and the authority with which to use it.


We need to care enough about our fellow man, woman and child to offer help when they need it. We need to be that Good Samaritan who is willing to get off their ass (donkey) and bend the knee in humility to assist a bloody, beaten and broken body of a human being.


It's surprising to see how much care folks will give to their pets, or animals in general, rather than to render that same care to a neighbor, friend or family member; that person who is made in the very image of God. The Bible states that when we help others it's as if we are helping the Lord God Himself. (Matthew 25: 35-45)


Yes, we are indeed our brother's keeper.


We are the hands and feet of God. He will use our voices to speak....

  • to those who are not living uprightly,

  • to those who have veered off the straight and narrow path of godliness and righteousness,

  • to those who embrace corrupt ways of greed and are enmeshed in immorality.


We need to grab these individuals out of the fiery pit of destruction and place them back onto the solid rock of goodness, kindness, love and compassion.


So, don't turn away from what you see as evil in your sight. When you ignore the red flags and warning lights, you allow evil to win. You may have to put up a fight. You may have to duke it out alone but it's best to do so with another.

"One can chase a thousand but two can put ten thousand to flight." 

(Joshua 23:10, Deuteronomy 32:30)


You and I can make a difference.


We are in this world, on this earth, for such a time as this. We were not created to live a solitary life but to be among a community of people, who were also created by God, to help and share, love and care. We were meant to be a people of good character and integrity, who uphold moral standards and truth, with courage and with dignity.


For those who have somehow lost godly vision and direction, from the White House to their own house, we, who are discerning, have been given a mandate for intervention and confrontation.(Galatians 6:1) By exposing their evil behavior, as stated in Ephesians 5:11, in the mirror of God's moral compass, we have an opportunity to see positive changes in their lives, with the hope of making this world a better place in which we can all live.... harmoniously.

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© 2024 Michelle A. James 

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