I knew someone once, who was a natural leader. She did her research. She made her decisions. She moved forward at a steady pace. Nothing got in her way. She was also motivated by fear. If she did not fight the good fight, she could lose everything for which she had worked so hard and sacrificed so much. If something got in her way, she began a passive-aggressive campaign against it. When the threat was neutralized, she was her usual charming self and acted as if nothing had happened.
I bore witness to this when she entered into a particularly stressful time. There was a threat to her sensibilities, and she went into battle. During this time, our children were friends. Then our children weren't friends, as children sometimes do. The unfortunate timing linked these two events and turned my children into her threats. She launched an attack against my children, and there was nothing passive about my aggressive response.
Time passed. I separated myself and my family from her and hers. The threat became no longer a threat. She saw me again and acted as if nothing had ever happened between us to interfere with our friendship. Wow! We really came through the trenches together, didn't we?
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and give you help; I will uphold you with My victorious right hand. All those who rage against you will be put to shame and disgraced; those who oppose you will be reduced to nothing and perish. You will search for those who oppose you, but you will not find them. Those who take up arms against you will be reduced to nothing. For I, the Lord, am your God and I grasp your right hand. It is I Who say to you, 'Do not fear; I will help you.' Psalm 41: 10-13