79. What to Do When You’re Afraid

What do you do when you're afraid?

In this reflection on Psalm 62, John Ortberg shares a memorable Dallas Willard story about a terrified cat clinging to a tree, and asks a surprisingly revealing question:

What's your branch?

When we're afraid, we clutch. We grasp for control over relationships, money, health, reputation, work, or whatever makes us feel secure.

But Psalm 62 offers another way.

Let go. Lean on God. And stand firm.

John explains how these two seemingly contradictory postures belong together: “I'm standing on the outside and leaning on the inside.”

You don't have to hold everything together today. Open your hands. Lean on the everlasting arms. Then stand firm and do the next right thing.

In this episode: Psalm 62 • fear • control • Dallas Willard • letting go • trusting God

#Psalm62 #JohnOrtberg #Fear #TrustGod #SpiritualFormation #Psalms

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Music Credits:

Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE

Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF

00:00 This Is for Anyone Who's Ever Been Afraid
 00:34 Two Ways to Deal With Fear
 00:49 Psalm 62: A Leaning Wall
 01:29 Where Do You Feel Unsteady?
 01:54 What Fear Really Is
 02:20 Dallas Willard's Cat
 02:34 He Needed a Crowbar 😂
 02:45 What's Your Branch?
 03:01 What Are You Trusting In?
 03:40 We Cling When We're Afraid
 03:59 What Won't You Let Go Of?
 04:20 You Can Let Go
 04:45 Leaning on the Everlasting Arms
 05:10 Stop Clutching. Start Leaning.
 05:36 You Don't Face Life Alone
 06:06 The Second Posture: Stand Firm
 06:28 Leaning vs. Standing
 06:53 Stand Outside, Lean Inside
 07:20 How Leaning Helps You Stand
 07:46 Little Cat, Let Go
 08:00 Open Your Hands
 08:14 A Lawyer's Unusual Advice
 08:33 Lean on God. Stand Firm.