Fear of the unknown is something we all deal with. At work. At home. Everywhere.
And this fear is common lately due to the current events. Fears about health, wealth and our children can be common on any date or time.
What are common fears that we have about the unknown in regards to work? How can we overcome them? And is there an example from the Bible who conquered their fear?
Fear of the Unknown: What Fears do we Encounter in our Work?
There is a number of fears that we deal with at our work. They can be about acceptance by our peers or our boss, will we do well to get that next bump up in pay, or whether we will have a job next year.
With the way our years have been lately, these are all fears that seem real to us and some have actually happened with the economic changes in the United States. As a result of the fallen economy, there were many layoffs and a high unemployment rate.
In general, some of these fears we have are not rational. We need to think logically through them and how we can conquer them.
The Three Most Common Fears at Work
1. Fear of Failure
This fear tops the list. Who wants to fail or sets out to fail? I don’t know that is anyone’s goal. I have strived to be a top performer and wanted to achieve the highest grades in school. If I got a B, I was not happy. I wanted an A in everything – even physical education.
At work, this fear is prevalent as well. We all want to do well. We want the boss to be happy with our performance so we can get a big raise at the end of the year. Or a desired promotion to the next level.
2. Fear of Making Wrong Decisions
If we question all of the steps that need to be done to achieve something, then we are paralyzed. This fear can derail us from moving forward. We look to our boss for the approval of whether the decision was made correctly. Or we may have a fear that others will judge the work that we’ve done. Either way, we need the confidence to move on.
3. Fear of Change
Some of us don’t like change. We like to stay within our comfort zone because it doesn’t have those unknown fears that will creep up on us and yell, BOO! Change can challenge us to think differently in ways that may be hard for us. And change can bring on a pile of more fears that we have not dealt with in a long time. Especially if you have been at a job for like 20 years!
If you change to a new job, you may have new fears about being liked by your peers. Since you lack seniority, you are at a higher risk of being laid off. You may wonder if the new boss will like you and if you will advance like was promised in the interview.
How do we overcome these fears?
1. Fear of the Unknown: Overcoming the Fear of Failure
With this one, we need to know what is expected of us. In the business world of information technology, we call these requirements. What is it that the customer wants to be happy? Then a list is made of all the needs and wants. These can then be ranked to determine what is a must-have vs a nice-to-have.
Do you know what your boss wants and considers success in your position? I would start with the job description that was given to you during the interview or on the first day. If you don’t know, then you need to ask. Asking clarifying questions helps reduce fear. The unknown becomes known.
If you don’t ask questions and try to fill up your day with small tasks to make yourself look busy, you’re not fooling your boss. He or she knows when the work that needs to get done isn’t completed. When they ask why it isn’t done and you list off everything you did, they should be letting you know that the priority is what they asked about not the bunch of small tasks you filled up your day with.
Ask for Feedback
Ask for feedback. When you have completed something, ask if there is anything else that can be improved or they would have done differently. These questions let the boss know that you value their input. They have experience in your field and would be willing to share their experiences with you.
The Fear of Failure: A Biblical View
After Moses died, God commissioned Joshua to lead Israel into the promised land. These are the words He said to encourage him.
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do accroding to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:8-9 ESV
From this, we can learn Biblical concepts in overcoming the fear of failure. We need to focus on following God’s commands in the Bible. Our focus should be done with meditating on it day and night. As we carefully obey it, He promises that we will have good success. And we do not need to be afraid, because God is with us. Everywhere. We. Go!
2. Fear of the Unknown: Overcoming the fear of making wrong decisions
When you are feeling overwhelmed and frozen with fear, put everything down, and breathe. Take deep breaths. Think clearly about the task at hand and re-read your instructions.
If you are still unsure about it, talk to your boss. Be honest. Let them know that you are unsure about what needs to be done next. Then be quiet and let them explain.
Follow your work steps as they talk to see if there is a missing step. If you don’t have written documentation, then write some up and have them preview it so you can ensure you have the same understanding that they do.
Communication is key to understanding what decisions need to be made and letting your boss know the outcome. When you have clear communication between both of you, then you don’t need to fear making the wrong decision.
The Fear of Wrong Decisions: A Biblical View
We can’t let fear control us. When we have asked Jesus to be our Lord and Savior, God gives us the Holy Spirit. This Spirit is power, love, and self-control.
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
2 Timothy 1:7 ESV
If you are struggling with paralyzing fear, ask the Holy Spirit to help you clear your mind from the fears and give you His power and love to move forward. If there are decisions to be made, ask God to help you. You are not in this alone.
3. Fear of the Unknown: Overcoming the Fear of Change
When unexpected change comes, take another deep breath. Everyone has experienced a change in their lives before and gotten through it. You will get through this too.
Listen carefully to what the change is. Then respectfully ask questions. If your boss doesn’t know, then they should get the answers from their Senior Leader or Human Resources. At times, they may not be able to disclose the full picture. Ask what you can and follow up when they are able to tell you more.
Until you know the answers, let it go. You can’t change what you don’t know and worrying about it won’t solve anything.
New Changes You Initiated
If you are starting something new in your life (i.e. a new job) and that change is causing you to worry, write down all the things that you are concerned about. Many can be addressed with questions to human resources before you start or your new boss.
With the fear of failure and the new boss, follow the items listed above. Check the job description and ask clarifying questions. You made it through the interview process and were given the position. They have confidence in you that you are the person for the job.
As for the approval from your peers, answer their questions and be honest when you don’t know the answers. they will respect you for your honesty. Ask them questions too. They know their job well and will appreciate it when you ask for their insight.
The Fear of Change: A Biblical View
Fear is based on worry. When we worry, we fear things that have not happened. Why worry about something we don’t know is true?
Matthew said this best in Matthew 6:27 ESV, “And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?”
He quotes this from Jesus at the end of that passage;
“Do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
Matthew 6:34 ESV
We don’t need to worry about tomorrow. Today has its own troubles. Focus on the present and enjoy it. If there are troubles with today, we need to address what is required of us today. If there are items that are unknown about tomorrow, we can ask God for guidance and trust that He is in control. He has been managing the affairs of this earth for thousands of years, He can handle the situation in my life and yours too.
Fear of the Unknown: A Biblical Model – Esther
When I think of a Biblical character who modeled dealing with the fear of the unknown, I think of Esther.
The evil Haman had sent a letter, sealed with the king’s signet ring, to have the Jews in all the provinces killed because they didn’t follow the king’s laws.
Esther’s uncle, Mordecai, tore his clothes and mourned at the city gate clothed in sackcloth and ashes. Esther was distressed and sent him clothing. When he refused to take them, she dispatched one of the king’s eunuchs to go and ask why he was mourning.
Once she heard about the edict to kill all the Jews and he asked her to appeal to the king on their behalf. She responded that she could be put to death by approaching the king when he had not called for her.
Mordecai replied back to Esther that she could not escape being found out and killed as well. If she is silent, then God would provide another way to deliver the Jews. Then he said those famous words,
“And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
Esther 4:14 ESV
Esther’s Response
She tells Mordecai to gather all the Jews in the city and fast on her behalf for 3 days and she would do the same with her maidens. She determines that she will go to the king after fasting. And if she dies, then she dies.
On the third day, she approaches the King and he responds favorably to her visit. Eventually, the Jews are saved from annihilation but you can enjoy how it plays out in Esther 5-10.
Esther’s Example
Esther takes shows her reliance on God and needed His insight into the issue. Even though she had decided to go before the king, she had people praying and fasting for this decision. I am sure there were prayers of what to say, for favor with the king, and peace regarding the outcome.
She was also brave. She had not been in the king’s presence for 30 days. If he didn’t have favor with her coming to see him, she would die.
Esther also had common sense. The edict had gone out that the Jews were to be killed. If she approached the king and he didn’t want to see her, she could die. Either way, she could possibly die. The best decision was the one she made as she knew that God would be with her.
And the time that she was in her position as Queen was the right TIME for her to help come to the aid of the Jews.
Her example of bravery, reliance on God, praying/fasting, and common sense is something that we all can model instead of focusing on fear of the unknown.
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Resource Library
Check out the Bible verse cards and other items that are available in the Resource Library. They are there for you to download for stopping by God’s Plan Guided Steps.
One resource that has been great for me to deal with fear, anxiety, and stress. Check out this printable from the Resource Library for how I breathe in the Spirit for life and peace!
Good
Thanks, Samuel.