Rory, O Rory, will we see you again?

Yesterday we saw the completion  of yet another Masters.  The beauty, the classical interludes, and of course, the Cinderella story of a young man from South Africa....tears in his eyes I guess...you know what I'm talkin about.  We also saw the near breakthrough of a young rising star named Rory McIlroy, only to witness yet another cataclysmic collapse.
Looking at the psychology of sports, golf in particular, can give us amazing insight into life in general, when viewed through the lens of Scripture.  Yesterday, was a perfect example of this.  Have you ever hear a golf announcer say something along the lines of "what a courageous shot!" or on the flip side, if you ever listened to Johnny Miller for more than two minutes, you've heard "that's all nerves right there!"  Yesterday was no different.  On the one hand, you saw the monumental collapse of young Rory, contrasted by the continual "fearlessness" of Angel Cabrera.  What is the "psychology of fear" in golf?  I mean, this fear is so intense that it literally drives men to leave the game, sometimes forces them out by way of the dreaded "yips!"
Fear is so basic to man! Nothing to fear but fear itself.  Take your fear and use it.  Fight or flight.  It can increase intensity, but it can also paralyze you.  It is, to say the least, very complicated.  So for the sake of simplicity, I want to deal with it at a basic level.  By basic I mean, not healthy fear given by God to prolong our lives, but unhealthy fear that attempts to destroy us, that leads to things like the yips, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, sleeplessness, or an ability to function in normal life.
Ultimately, all unhealthy fear comes from one of two areas.  The first is a deep disturbance in our inner man that we are not God.  We desire a control over our life and circumstance that God simply does not allow, He has reserved Sovereign rule for Himself.  The second, is a deep and sinful perspective that another human wields a superhuman power to utterly destroy.  There again, is a level of control that God does not allow, He alone is Judge.  To say it another way, sinful desire to control (be God) = unhealthy fear (because we're not God) = unhealthy attempt to control (control freak, OCD, perfectionist, manipulative etc.) = potential disaster (from ulcers to complete loss of function).
How do we recover from such fear?  1. Confess and repent, you are a not a victim.  2. Acknowledge and meditate on Gods Sovereign control, as well as His power and love towards His children (Ps 23, 46.1-2, Jer 17.5-8, Rom 8.15,28) .  3. Fear God (Matt 10.28).  The bottom line is that if you are in Christ, the wrath of God, that which is most truly fearful, has been satisfied.  There is nothing left to fear, because there is no possibility of separation from the love of God.  In the face of a horrific death, Paul says he would rather go through it because to finally be rejoined to his beloved Savior is better.  Jesus sweat drops of blood over the anguish of enduring the wrath of the Father on our behalf.  Part of His blood bought redemption is that we no longer have a spirit of fear, but of love, power and a sound mind (Rom 8.15).  Scripture says to Rory McIlroy, repent (and be saved if you are not), and play your golf to the glory of a Sovereign and loving God!
*I do want to say that there are things we fear naturally and the fear is healthy.  A situation like war, where fear is natural and healthy, but must still be overcome is different than why Rory or most of us experience fear.  Also, things like PTSD are also real, and must be overcome differently.  Still by God, but differently, as it is not a result of personal sin.