Are you afraid?

I stayed too long in a bad relationship because I was afraid. Afraid of admitting I'd failed again at finding love, afraid I couldn't manage without the paycheque he brought home, but eventually I was more afraid of what the environment we were creating for our daughter, who was so fearful she could hardly bear to leave my side, even among people she loved and trusted. If I am utterly honest it was not the first time I found myself staying too long because forging out on my own was scary. But in the end leaving, moving on, starting over, was the best thing to do, and I now look back without regret.
What are you afraid of? I know I have discussed fear here before, but fear seems so prevalent I can not help but return to it again. Are you afraid to open your heart again to new relationships for fear of getting hurt again? Are you always waiting for "the other shoe" to drop, never allowing yourself to fully experience all the joy of the moment you are in? Does someone who looks or speaks differently than you, who also expresses uncertainty or fear cause you to question who they "really are?
Indeed there is evil in the world. There are people plotting ugly, evil things. Yes, you may get hurt, yes, life is not all sunshine and roses. On the other hand, what are you missing out on by fearing the people around you? I am inherently and almost painfully shy, I know all too well the fear of man. But as I learn what it means to put my fear where it rightfully should be I am learning to live my life more openly and freely than I would have thought possible.
The LORD is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the strength of my life;
Of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1)
As I learn what it means to truly fear the Lord, to love Him with honour & reverence, and as I learn who I am in His sight all of my personal fears and doubts begin to pale.
I suppose it may be a little hard to appreciate until you begin to see it manifested in your sight.
In discussing this with a friend recently I expressed surprise that he was truly so unsure of his fellow man...and his response was that we need to be cautious and wise. But there is a fine line between wise caution and fear.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
A good understanding have all those who do His commandments.
His praise endures forever.(Psalm 111:10)

I have have grown the most, learned the most about myself, about what God has called me to do, and about His unfailing faithfulness and provision in those times when I had to step out and face my fear head on.

And the covenant that I have made with you, you shall not forget, nor shall you fear other gods. But the LORD your God you shall fear; and He will deliver you from the hand of all your enemies.(2 Kings 17:38-39)

I am so very thankful I know where to turn when fear gets the better of me. I still have doubts, there will always be things that frighten me, but I've read the end of the story, and I know who wins in the end. (Spoiler alert: We do!)