When Fear Breaks the Connection
A Meditation by Rev. Cameron Trimble
"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you." - John 15:12
Have you ever noticed how fear changes the way we see the world—and each other? It shrinks our perspective, makes us suspicious, and tempts us to trade connection for control. When enough people start living that way, it’s not just personal; it becomes cultural. That’s how authoritarianism1 takes root—not just because of one “strongman,” but because fear fractures relationships, trust erodes, and people start looking for simple answers to complex problems.
We see this when emotions run high but go unprocessed—when fear, anger, and grief get stuffed down until they boil over. We see it when politics gets framed like a sports game, with clear winners and losers, instead of a messy, ongoing conversation about the common good. We see it when people deny the harder parts of history, trying to protect a fragile sense of identity rather than face uncomfortable truths. And we see it when accountability slips, when those in power start acting as if the rules no longer apply to them.
It’s easy to look around and feel disheartened. But, it doesn’t have to be this way.
Spiritual wisdom—from Jesus to the Buddha, from Indigenous elders to modern contemplatives—teaches us that love, connection, and truth-telling are the antidotes to domination and fear. When Jesus walked among the oppressed, he didn’t just preach; he built relationships across every line society drew. He sat at tables with people who were despised, told stories that challenged the status quo, and refused to let fear define his actions. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks put it beautifully: “A free society is a moral achievement. It is not something we inherit; it is something we must build, day by day.”2
So, how do we resist the slow creep of authoritarianism? By doing what communities of faith and conscience have always done in hard times: staying connected. We build relationships that can hold honest conversations without collapsing into blame. We keep history alive—not to shame, but to learn. We hold power accountable, even when it’s uncomfortable. And we practice emotional resilience—learning to sit with our fear and grief instead of letting them drive us toward reactivity or despair.
It’s not easy. But this kind of steady, grounded presence is one of the most powerful forms of resistance we have. It reminds us—and the world—of what’s possible when love, not fear, has the final word.
We are in this together,
Cameron
Reflection Questions
When you feel overwhelmed by the state of the world, how do you usually respond? Do you shut down, get angry, or pull away?
What relationships in your life feel strong enough to hold honest, complex conversations? How might you nurture those connections?
Where in your community do you see signs of division or disconnection? What small step could you take to bridge that gap?
A Prayer for the Day
Root Us in Love
Loving God,
When fear rises and the world feels unsteady,
Root us in love.
When we’re tempted to close off or lash out,
Open our hearts to compassion.
When history is rewritten to hide injustice,
Give us the courage to speak truth with grace.
And when power seeks to divide,
May we stand together,
Choosing connection over control,
And kindness over cruelty.
Let us be people of peace in fractured times.
Amen.
Spiritual Practice
Practicing Connection in a Fractured World
This week, lean into connection as an act of quiet resistance. Think of one relationship you’d like to strengthen—maybe it’s someone you haven’t seen in a while, or someone whose views differ from yours. Reach out. It doesn’t have to be a big conversation; it could be a simple check-in, an invitation for coffee, or even a kind note. Pay attention to what comes up inside you—especially if frustration, fear, or grief bubbles to the surface. Instead of pushing those feelings away, pause. Breathe. Remind yourself that staying connected—even when it’s messy—is how we hold our humanity in difficult times.
By nurturing small moments of trust and understanding, you’re doing more than just keeping a friendship alive. You’re building what Ilya Prigogine3 called an “island of coherence”—a place where love, truth, and resilience can flourish, even when the world feels chaotic. And that, more than anything, is what keeps hope alive.
Upcoming Events That Might Be of Interest…
STARTING SOON! February 27, 2025, 12-1:30pm - Margaret Wheatley and I are offering a 4 or 8-session course called “Are We Made for These Times?” If you know Meg’s work, it’s going to be extraordinary. If you want the deep dive, the 8-session course is for you. You can read about the shorter 4-session course here. Scholarships are available. I sooooo hope you can be a part of this!
March 4, 11, 18, 25 2025, 7-8:30pm - Dr. Matthew Fox and I are scheming a Lenten series that we are calling “From Darkness to Dawn: Spiritual Courage and Political Action in the Age of MAGA.” Modern mystic, Mirabai Starr, will be our guest on March 4! Andrew Harvey on March 11! The amazing Bishop Yvette Flunder on March 18! Father Adam Bucko on March 25! REGISTER HERE!
March 4, 2025, 12pm ET - Rev. Damien Lake and I are collaborating on hosting a cohort for new congregation developers that will meet monthly. Ecumenical. Interfaith. Free. Join us.
April 1, 2025 - Rabbi Benjamin Ross and I are collaborating on a new leadership program called “All Together Now: A Collaborative Cohort for Jewish Congregational Leadership Teams.” You can read about the program here.
July 20-25, 2025 - The Art of Wilding: A 5-Day Expedition in Wyoming for Women Leaders. Click here to learn more. Only one spot left!
August 11, 2025, 2pm ET - Dr. Andrew Root and I will be hosting a 6 part series on Spirituality in the Secular Age based on his research. The dates are August 11, 18, September 8, 15, and October 6, 13. Mark your calendars! More on this soon.
September 4, 4:30pm ET - I will be collaborating with the Anderson Forum for Progressive Theology to host a conversation with Thomas Jay Oord on Open and Relational theology. It’s a FREE event. Register here.
October 15-18, 2025 - Converging 2025: Sing Truth Conference (all musicians invited!) at Northwest Christian Church in Columbus, OH. Register here!
I drafted a Strategic Framework for Congregations as we move into the coming years of increased authoritarianism around the world. If interested, you can download it here.
What is authoritarianism? This video explains.
https://rabbisacks.org/quotes/societal-freedom/
Thank you for your writing and resources! Always meaningful and informative and hope-full. 💜