May 27
Freedom From the Fear of Man
Few things silence childlike freedom more quietly—or more forcefully— than the fear of man. It is unseen bondage. It constricts the soul, narrows the heart, and wraps invisible chains around our freedom.
Children, when they feel safe and loved, live with a remarkable sense of freedom from self-consciousness. They dance spontaneously. They sing without worrying about pitch. They draw without comparing themselves to others. They speak without rehearsing. They laugh freely without judgment. They show affection without feeling embarrassed.
But as we grow older, we learn to judge ourselves through the imagined eyes of others. We become self-aware in a way that is not sacred, but fearful. We become image controllers. We watch our behavior, emotions, and expressions. We filter ourselves. We censor our happiness. We hide our tenderness. We diminish our authenticity.
And gradually, without realizing it, we start living a life that isn't genuinely ours—one designed for approval, acceptance, or safety.
The Spirit frees us from the fear of man — not by making us rebellious, but by making us confident. Not by toughening us up, but by softening us. Not through independence, but through a deeper reliance on the Father’s love.
Becoming Childlike Again: Page 177
Few things silence childlike freedom more quietly—or more forcefully— than the fear of man. It is unseen bondage. It constricts the soul, narrows the heart, and wraps invisible chains around our freedom.
Children, when they feel safe and loved, live with a remarkable sense of freedom from self-consciousness. They dance spontaneously. They sing without worrying about pitch. They draw without comparing themselves to others. They speak without rehearsing. They laugh freely without judgment. They show affection without feeling embarrassed.
But as we grow older, we learn to judge ourselves through the imagined eyes of others. We become self-aware in a way that is not sacred, but fearful. We become image controllers. We watch our behavior, emotions, and expressions. We filter ourselves. We censor our happiness. We hide our tenderness. We diminish our authenticity.
And gradually, without realizing it, we start living a life that isn't genuinely ours—one designed for approval, acceptance, or safety.
The Spirit frees us from the fear of man — not by making us rebellious, but by making us confident. Not by toughening us up, but by softening us. Not through independence, but through a deeper reliance on the Father’s love.
Becoming Childlike Again: Page 177