Dread, Despair,
and Delight
Certain emotional reactions
confront the Christian as one is challenged with growth in service. If
the person can understand oneself he will be better able to step
forward in crucial moments. Three words describe these emotions.
Dread
Dread is the
emotion of fear concerning an anticipated experience. It is not
fear without a reason; it is fear mixed with awe. A new Christian is
sometimes filled with dread for example, as he contemplates
praying in public. He is awed by the request. He may feel perfectly
free in private prayer, but he dreads leading a corporate body
into the presence of God. Dread often rules the emotions in such an
experience so that the person does not think clearly.
Dread is also an emotion which deters
people from witnessing. A sense of misgiving about witnessing involves
many things. We may dread what others will think about us, or dread the
possibility of being rejected. We may dread the dialogue that would
take place in witnessing. We may fear that we cannot adequately
answer all questions that may arise. Our own lack of deep
Christian experience may deter witnessing because we dread the exposure
of our own shallow experience.
Dread often bothers the potential
Sunday school teacher who has never taught. Dread of failure may cause
him to turn down .this responsibility.
Whenever there is the challenge of a new experience in the Christian
life there is the possibility of dread. he alternative to continued
dread is to go on to victory over it by achieving success.
Despair
With mixed emotions we view an
opportunity for service. We sense the need but hesitate in dread. When
~ dread becomes the victor, despair comes into play. Where dread
obtains the upper hand, and the Christian hesitates or draws back, he
often comes to this state of despair. The young Christian begins to
wonder
if he will ever have victory.
As a young high school student
and a young Christian, I had always wanted to be a part of the prayer
meeting by leading in prayer along with others. Each Wednesday I would
resolve inwardly that I would volunteer to lead in prayer. And
each Wednesday I would not lift my hand because of my dread. As I left
the church and walked the lonely street home it was always with a sense
of despair. I had failed myself as well as God. Each time I refrained,
my sense of hope was ebbing and dread grew stronger.
Despair has often been the lot of
Christians who have failed to accept the opportunity of witnessing. The
Christian's sense of awe for the task deepens his sense of despair when
he neglects the proclamation of the Gospel. He justly condemns
himself for failure. As despair floods the soul one realizes the
seriousness of the situation because of the destiny of men without
Christ.
Dread and despair go together.
There is no delivery from them until one returns to the point of
confronting the dreaded duty. Despair, however, can be
escaped. We are not caught without an exit. This brings us to the
alternate emotion.
Delight
Dread and despair are overcome
when delight emerges as the joyous consequence of having said "yes" to
service. The word "delight" has a connection with "light." When we have
confronted opportunity and used it we feel as if the light of heaven
itself has shone down upon us and joy and pleasure are ours.
There is a happy ending to my experience of leading in public
prayer. There came a time when I rejected dread and despair and
volunteered to pray. The walk home after prayer meeting was full of
delight.
In the realm of witnessing the
Christian can live in delight. It is an indescribable pleasure to speak
of Christ to others. The joy of faithfulness in service is crowned
with the pleasure of obedience to the Master.
The teacher or preacher sees
delight in the results of hard work and accepted responsibility.
We sense this in John 4 where joy is expressed over those who walk in
the truth.
I have delighted in the growth of those whose lives I have seen
transformed by personal witness. I dreaded speaking to one man.
With each hesitation there came despair. One day I became victor
over myself and dread turned to delight as he became a Christian. This
delight increased as February 2, 1964 he grew in the knowledge of
Christ. It is a thrill to see him serve as a Sunday school
superintendent. Such is the potential.
Some Christians have filled a pew
all their lives dreading the thought of stepping into service. Dread
leads to despair. Despair falls by the wayside, and dread becomes
subservient to indifference .. In due time indifference dominates
all.
On the other hand, victory over
dread and despair results in delight. Delight can be cultivated and
enjoyed. As delight becomes the dominant emotion, dread and
despair become subservient. As delight continually stirs the
depths of our souls, we discover that dread no longer has its hold and
hence no more despair.
Delight is the emotion connected
with the New Testament. God is continually working with us seeking
to bring us to the pleasure of His light and radiance. We are told to
be joyful always (1 Thessalonians 5:16). It is by obedience, service
and faithfulness that we enter into the delight of our salvation .•
Published in Today, Feb.2, 1964