The Fear Factor in Parenting: Fear of Judgment

In Episode Two of the Fear Factor, Cameron and Anna discuss the fear of judgment. Parents often worry that they are being judged for their mistakes — and their children’s mistakes — by their communities, their own families, and other parents. This can lead to poor decision making, when we parent our children out of the fear of what other people will think rather than parenting out of what God will think. And this is fearful, too– how do we know God is not judging us harshly for the mistakes we make as moms and dads? The gospel reminds us that the judgment we deserve has been satisfied by Christ, and the gospel frees us from serving the idol of human approval.

1 John 4:18 “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.”

Isaiah 51:7 “Listen to me, you who know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear not the reproach of man, nor be dismayed by their reviling.”