The answer is fear.
We live in a climate of fear in our nation. Every time we turn on the news, we see the worst playing out in front of us. Political division. Violent protests. Terrorism. Not only that, social media and other public forums are becoming an increasingly toxic place in which to attempt to address these issues. Though some voices are calling us to accept and understand one another, they are often drowned out by self-appointed judges who punish those who dare to express a different opinion with verbal attacks and ridicule. Fear of being targeted by these firing squads causes many to withdraw from speaking their minds when it comes to controversial issues, even if their input is valid and inspiring. The worst isn’t just coming out in our “macro” social problems; it’s coming out every day in our conversations—and it’s all driven by fear.
More than ever, we need to grow in relational intelligence—to develop the attitudes and behaviours that create a safe place for people to be themselves and connect with one another. The central truth of relational intelligence is this:
Fear drives us away from people. Love drives us toward people.
As long as we are aligning ourselves with the spirit of fear, we will be pursuing the goal of fear, which is distance and disconnection. We will end up caught in the endless cycles of injustice, offence, and punishment that cause so much chaos and pain to us and others.
The only way to pursue a new goal is to align ourselves with the spirit of love. Love’s agenda is always connection. Only when we take personal responsibility to let love cast out fear in our own hearts can we hope to bring love to the hurting and divided world around us.
Adapted from a blog ‘Keeping our love on in a climate of fear’ Danny Silk
Loving on Purpose