Don’t be afraid of what you can’t control
This is a deep and interesting question. We often fear things we can’t control because:
The illusion of control gives us security
When we think we can control something—whether it’s our future, health, or a relationship—we feel safe. When something is out of our control, we feel helpless, and that helplessness becomes fear.
Introduction: The Fear of Losing Control
We live in a world that glorifies control. From careers to personal relationships, health to finances—
we’re taught to manage, manipulate, and master. But what happens when things are out of our reach? When the outcome is uncertain, people are unpredictable, and life is unplanned? We get nervous. We get afraid.
And yet, fear is nothing new. Thousands of years ago, in the midst of the Mahabharata, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, a warrior named Arjuna trembled with fear—
not of death, but of the unknown. His bow fell from his hand, his mind plunged into darkness.
It was here that Lord Krishna spoke the Bhagavad Gita, offering eternal guidance—not just to Arjuna, but to all of us who are terrified by what we cannot control.
The Root of Fear: Attachment and Expectation
According to Krishna, fear arises not from reality—
but from our expectations. We fear losing someone we love. We fear failure, judgment, rejection. We fear outcomes that don’t match our desires.
The Fear of Uncertainty
The human mind by nature prefers clarity and predictability. When we don’t know the outcome of something (such as illness, death, or the behavior of others), we develop anxiety and fear.
Krishna says:
“You have a right to action, but not to the fruits of action.” (Bhagavad Gita 2.47)
This means that our fear is not rooted in action, but in attachment to results. The more we cling to a desired outcome, the more pain we suffer when things go differently.
Fear of Loss
Sometimes not having control makes us feel that we might lose something important — like identity, relationships, status, or life. This fear makes us even more insecure.
Why Control Is an Illusion
We think we are in control. But Krishna reminds Arjuna—and us—that we are not the true doers.
“All actions are performed by the modes of material nature. The soul, deluded by false ego, thinks: ‘I am the doer.'” (Bhagavad Gita 3.27)
The belief that we can control everything stems from ego—
our limited self attempting to play the role of the universe. We forget that life operates through a vast, interconnected web of energies, actions, and divine timing.
Krishna’s message? Surrender—not in defeat, but in wisdom.
The Power of Surrender
When Arjuna was stunned by fear, Krishna did not tell him to flee. He told him to stand and fight—but with detachment and a sense of duty.
Experience and social conditioning
Society teaches us that having things under control is a sign of “strongness.” So when we can’t control something, we feel weak— and fear arises.
He said:
“Give up all attachment to the results of action and find the ultimate peace.” (Bhagavad Gita 5.12)
True surrender is not passivity. It is action without passion. It is doing your best while trusting the outcome to a higher power.
This shift from control to surrender transforms fear into faith.
Letting go of “what if” thoughts
Our mind is full of “what if this happens?”
“What if I lose?”
“What if this goes wrong?”
Krishna recommends replacing these with one thought:
“What is my dharma—my purpose—at this moment?”
Focusing on your role in the present dispels worry about the future. You begin to act with clarity, not panic. You lead with purpose, not pressure.
Fear as a Spiritual Warning
Fear is not your enemy. From the Gita’s perspective, fear is a messenger—a sign that your consciousness is mired in illusion. It reminds you that your peace has become dependent on things outside of you.
Ask yourself:
What am I trying to control?
What outcome am I afraid of?
What deeper truth am I ignoring?
Fear, when observed without judgment, becomes a doorway to deeper awareness.
Krishna’s remedy for fear
Let’s summarize Krishna’s teachings in practical wisdom:
How Krishna’s teachings help overcome fear
Focus on action, not results (Bg. 2.47)
Recognize that you are not the sole doer (Bg. 3.27)
Reduce the pressure to control everything
Surrender the fruits to God (Bg. 9.27)
Evokes peace, not panic
Perform your duty with devotion (Bg. 3.30)
Encourages meaningful, fearless living
Meditate on self and truth (Bg. 6.5)
Fixes you in eternal awareness
Modern fears, ancient remedies
Today, fear manifests in new forms:
Fear of missing out (FOMO)
Fear of failure
Fear of criticism
Fear of being irrelevant
Control over health, career, relationships Fear of loss
But the antidote is the same. Krishna’s message is not religious—it’s spiritual psychology. It teaches us to rearrange our inner world so that the outer world has no influence over us.
Practical steps to apply Krishna’s teachings today
Start your day with purpose, not expectation
Instead of thinking about “what if,” ask:
“What can I give today? How can I act with love and duty?”
Practice detached action
Do your work with full attention—but avoid letting yourself think too much about the results. Let go of it after the effort.
Create a daily surrender ritual
Spend 5 minutes each night mentally surrendering all your actions and results to the universe, God, or a higher power.
Say, “I did my best, now it’s yours.”
Reflect on impermanence
Fear thrives on the illusion of permanence. Gently remind yourself:
“Nothing lasts forever. I am here to grow, not to understand.”
Meditate on the true self
Krishna repeatedly emphasizes that you are not the body or the mind, but the eternal soul. The more you identify with your true self, the less fear will be able to shake you.
Final Thoughts: From Fear to Freedom
You fear what you cannot control because you believe your peace depends on it. But Krishna tells us the opposite:
Your peace is already within you. You don’t need control—you need clarity.
But the question is:
Can we ever really control anything completely?
Probably not.
And this understanding gradually brings peace—when we learn to accept that some things are not in our hands, we begin to live in faith and acceptance instead of fear.
Fear disappears not when life becomes predictable, but when your soul becomes anchored in the truth. When you act with dedication, commitment, and purpose, uncertainty loses its power.
So the next time fear comes, don’t fight it. Ask yourself:
“Am I doing my duty? Am I attached to the outcome? Am I trusting the process?”
Note- Why are you afraid of something you cannot control? What is your opinion about this? Do tell us in the comment box below. Your opinion is very important to us.