4 But Jacob did not send Benjamin, Joseph’s brother, with the others, because he was afraid that harm might come to him.
Fear can be a very powerful force, even when it is fear that is just in our heads. Fear kept Jacob from sending all his sons to Egypt to get grain. This caused his brothers to be treated as spies by their missing brother. These ten brothers are also afraid that their past misdeeds have come back to haunt them (V21). And Joseph plays on that fear. What are the fears you have that crop up day after day getting in the way of normal life? What would life be like if those fears were eliminated? How much more could you accomplish? Do you use other people’s fears to your advantage? Do you use them to gain power for yourself? Maybe it is time to put fears in their proper place. Fear is meant for life and death situations. If we are afraid in non-life threatening situations, or if every situation seems life threatening, then maybe it is time to get some help dealing with those fears.
The Arnold Journey 