The Emotional Brilliance of Fear
Sunday, October 11, 2026 • Preached by Kyle Pipes
Summary: Fear is not the enemy; it's our friend, and like all other emotions, when embraced and channeled, it powers our life. Jesus’ embrace and channeling of fear in the garden show us that fear empowers intuition, focus, and action.
Fear brings focus to what we hear, see, and feel. As Jesus prepares for the coming betrayal and trial of the cross, he channels his fear into fear in order to have a clear focus. Fear helps us engage the now by helping us become acutely aware of what is happening around us. At low levels, this helps us in tough conversations and daily tasks. In more dangerous situations, it will help us act bravely or kick in our fight, flight, or freeze reaction. How might you allow your fear to help you focus?
Fear is our friend that engages our instincts and intuition. In Jesus interaction with the disciples about staying awake and his own prayer regarding not drinking the cup, we see that Jesus senses what is coming but sees alternative outcomes. Fear helps us sense what’s happening around us and what lies ahead. Sometimes people say things like faith over fear but that is not recognizing God’s creation of fear or that we are to fear the Lord. Rather, we should give thanks for our fear that it connects us to our intuition and instinct, so we can then act in our faith. What is your spidey sense telling you?
Healthy fear helps us take healthy action. Jesus knows what lies ahead but is prepared to walk into it. Fear sometimes will speed us up and other times slow us down so that we can take the next best step. If you find yourself taking unhealthy action in your fear, it’s not because fear is bad its because something else in your emotional system is off. This is where prayer, reflection, conversation, counseling, and medication can all be helpful. What actions do I need to take?
Passage for Reflection: Matthew 26:36-46
36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and agitated. 38 Then he said to them, “I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me.” 39 And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.” 40 Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, “So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? 41 Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 Again he went away for the second time and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43 Again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44 So leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words. 45 Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand.”
