Ever Wonder Why “the Only Thing We have to Fear, is Fear Itself” – Step 4

FDR in wheelchair monument w/ sfz title

All these failings generate fear, a soul-sickness in its own right.” (12 & 12, p. 49 on false pride)

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How has fear from being ‘burned’ again stood in the way of your goals, lately?

OR

If fear hides deep inside us, how can we shine a light on it to make it smaller?

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Not Afraid – Eminem (4:18)

Understanding Fear (6:27)

Releasing Fear & Projecting Love Hz Guided Meditation LP (23:17)



Analysis:

Fear shapes our actions when we lose balance. Franklin D. Roosevelt said in his speech, “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” He saw fear as the enemy of progress. Fear keeps people from moving forward. It clouds judgment and weakens courage.

The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions warns us about chasing sex, safety, and status. These instincts are natural, but not sacred. When we crave them above all else, pride and fear take over. Fear then becomes a sickness of the soul. Thomas Merton called this “false self” the root of inner conflict. The person starts living for others’ approval and forgets their real purpose.

In Sexual Anorexia, Patrick Carnes explains that even success in intimacy can lead to fear. Some people expect betrayal. They build walls. Their bodies may say yes, but their hearts say no. Carnes names this terror a learned response to past wounds. It grows quietly, then controls everything.

Erich Fromm believed that fear hides beneath our desire for control. In The Art of Loving, he wrote that love needs courage. Fear makes people choose safety instead of truth. But that safety comes at the cost of connection.

Today’s SFZ shows how fear begins inside us. It hides in our desires. It grows when we feed pride, not humility.


Spanish Translations

SFZ Quotes:

1.
“Primero que todo, quiero expresar mi firme creencia de que lo único que debemos temer es al mismo miedo — ese terror sin nombre, sin razón, injustificado, que paraliza los esfuerzos necesarios para convertir la retirada en avance.”
— Franklin D. Roosevelt

2.
“Cuando la satisfacción de nuestros instintos de sexo, seguridad y sociedad se convierte en el único objetivo de nuestras vidas, el orgullo entra para justificar nuestros excesos. Todas estas fallas generan miedo, una enfermedad del alma por derecho propio.”
Doce Pasos y Doce Tradiciones, p. 49

3.
“Cuando el sexo y la intimidad exitosos solo abren otra ventana a una posible traición, la aversión al sexo se convierte en la barrera que mantiene a salvo al yo privado y vulnerable. El terror… es volver a experimentar el dolor.”
Anorexia Sexual, págs. 42-43


Spanish Analysis and Question

El miedo moldea nuestras acciones cuando perdemos el equilibrio. Franklin D. Roosevelt dijo en su discurso “lo único que debemos temer es al mismo miedo.” Él veía el miedo como el enemigo del progreso. El miedo impide avanzar. Niebla el juicio y debilita la valentía.

Doce Pasos y Doce Tradiciones nos advierte sobre perseguir sexo, seguridad y estatus. Estos impulsos son naturales, pero no sagrados. Cuando los buscamos por encima de todo, el orgullo y el miedo toman el control. Entonces el miedo se convierte en una enfermedad del alma. Thomas Merton llamó a esto el “falso yo,” la raíz del conflicto interno. La persona vive para agradar a otros y olvida su verdadero propósito.

En Anorexia Sexual, Patrick Carnes explica que incluso la intimidad exitosa puede causar miedo. Algunas personas esperan ser traicionadas. Construyen muros. Sus cuerpos dicen sí, pero sus corazones dicen no. Carnes llama a ese terror una respuesta aprendida al dolor del pasado. Crece en silencio, y luego domina todo.

Erich Fromm creía que el miedo se esconde bajo el deseo de control. En El arte de amar, escribió que el amor necesita valentía. El miedo lleva a las personas a elegir la seguridad en lugar de la verdad. Pero esa seguridad cuesta la conexión.

Estos textos muestran cómo el miedo nace en nuestro interior. Se oculta en nuestros deseos. Crece cuando alimentamos el orgullo, no la humildad.

Si el miedo se esconde dentro de nosotros, ¿cómo podemos usar la luz para hacerlo más pequeño?

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Comments

12 responses to “Ever Wonder Why “the Only Thing We have to Fear, is Fear Itself” – Step 4”

  1. Eli🌱 Avatar
    Eli🌱

    Shining a light on fear- acknowledging it- makes it easier to work with. I don’t think that I agree with the premise of this passage. I mean, I don’t agree that fears must be minimized in the first place, are the enemy of truth, or are not sacred. I’d argue that ‘basic desires listed are sacred, even if only for their necessity. Feelings of belonging do come from safety, status, & sex. These things are not just basal desires, they’re part of life for everyone (well, 2/3 are)

  2. Eli🌱 Avatar
    Eli🌱

    Shining a light on fear- acknowledging it- makes it easier to work with. I don’t think that I agree with the premise of this passage. I mean, I don’t agree that fears must be minimized in the first place, are the enemy of truth, or are not sacred. I’d argue that ‘basic desires listed are sacred, even if only for their necessity. Feelings of belonging do come from safety, status, & sex. These things are not just basal desires, they’re part of life for everyone (well, 2/3 are)

  3. E-Dawg Avatar
    E-Dawg

    When there is a fear of something or some one interfering with the goals I have set then I am not working the steps I am not in the book and I am not in recovery mode. When I am actually living in recovery Psalms 23 always reminds me in the heaviest of times, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for thou are with me!

  4. Sabrina J Avatar
    Sabrina J

    Fear profits us nothing and Love conquers fear. I trust in my HP and pray for protection and guidance and this reduces fear. Often fear for me is more of a frustration than a fear. And still, it is in my higher power that the light to cast out fear lives every time.

    Thank you for letting me participate and heal. I am Grateful.

  5. JB Jr. Avatar
    JB Jr.

    My desire to be the lead to go Shader on my newest contract has caused some friction with my partners lesson Joy for its Inception.

  6. Tony o Avatar
    Tony o

    Not being able to accept offers of help at times

  7. Simon Yebio Avatar
    Simon Yebio

    I can’t recall right now but I do love this reading this morning

  8. Adam Avatar
    Adam

    My pride reveals that not only do I have a huge ego, but actual arrogance begins to manifest itself. So I have to constantly remind myself how this is a feeling with no basis just like fear or anger are. Unless a lion is chasing me or something, these are usually based on false perceptions. Pride sometimes allows my ego to completely take over and before I know it I’m in my head again. For me, I just have to recognize this happening and meditate, go to a meeting, laugh for a while, whatever it takes to get me out of that head space without drinking or using.

  9. JB jr. Avatar
    JB jr.

    I’m trying something new by reposting the comments to USFZ’s with a similar or exact same theme from the previous year.

    I hope this helps everyone to follow their spiritual growth from one year to the next.

  10. Jb jr. Avatar
    Jb jr.

    Brita, you might be interested to know that if you search the SFZs there are numerous OA quotes as well. Would you like to see more them?

    1. brita Avatar
      brita

      YES! definitely would like to see more OA quotes – thank you!

  11. brita Avatar
    brita

    The “Understanding Fear” video is GREAT – what a huge help! I have been stuffing fear by eating and eating, which is a new form of obsession for me. Now I can know that fear is only in my imagination (and I don’t have to gain a ton of weight). THANK YOU SFZ!

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