Are You Afraid?

Posted on July 2, 2009 
Filed Under Fathering, Parenting, Personal, Spiritual Life

Andy Stanley is pastor of a very large and successful church near Atlanta. I’ve never met him, but heard him speak on a few occasions. Years ago I interviewed him about one of his books and was impressed by his insights. I have a lot of respect for this man. He wrote about the need to find some balance in life, and suggested that fear keeps us from making our family the priority.  Yep, fear. Many men wouldn’t admit it, but they’re afraid of missing out on that promotion, for instance.

I think he’s right. I recall once working for a boss who put in excessive hours at his desk. He freely admitted that his work was his priority. I almost felt like I had to sneak past his door at night to avoid questions about this project or that deadline. I would put in a good day’s work but couldn’t ever fight off the fear that I’d be labeled a “slacker” because I didn’t stay until 7 or 8 every night. I also hoped to be considered for a management job that was about to open up. Afraid of being overlooked because I wasn’t as committed as others, I would often stay at work longer than needed. I had a wife and a couple of kids at home, and I knew they needed me. I wanted to go home to be their man, to play with the kids, but it was really hard to pull away.

Fear did that to me. I wonder if fear is holding you back in your life?

Comments

One Response to “Are You Afraid?”

  1. W. Mark Whitlock on July 2nd, 2009 9:04 pm

    Andy had a profound influence in my life. He was a “nobody” in the mid-80s when he spoke at Metro Bible Study in Atlanta and hung out at the student center and Frat houses at University of Georgia.

    I love several of his books, but his talk (and later book) called “Choosing to Cheat” moved me. The provocative title means there are only so many hours in the day. Who will you “cheat”—family, church, work, volunteer opportunities, yard, etc.

    (http://www.amazon.com/Choosing-Cheat-Wins-Family-Collide/dp/1590523296)

    In all the counseling he’s done as a pastor, he’s made this argument to Fortune 500 CEOs and blue collar daily wage earners.

    Blows my mind.

    He said that to a person, once they embraced the message, God blew their doors off with understanding of His economy

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