“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:18
One of the most common weaknesses of man is fear. We fear our future, we fear failure, we fear loss, we fear pain, we fear hardship, we fear
people’s opinion of us, and much more. If most of us would take an honest look at our lives, we would see that fear has far greater influence over our lives than we realize. Fear will affect our perspective on life, our decisions, and our behaviour. Satan wants to control and ruin our lives through fear. And more often than not, he succeeds.
Fear is not from God. Let’s say that again, fear IS NOT from God. Romans 8:15 tells us that we have not been given “the spirit of bondage again to fear; but we have received the Spirit of adoption whereby we cry Abba Father…” Think about it – as God’s children, we no longer need to live in fear of any kind, but rather, live as children whose Father is God Himself. We can now live life with confidence because we have the acceptance, attention, and love of God as a Father. Fear steps in when we don’t recognize and receive this as true about God, but rather, we live in the lies of the enemy.
Think about it – we fear when we don’t believe we are loved by God, accepted by God, or cared for by God. You will find that every fear is rooted in a misconception about God. When you are experiencing fear, take it honestly before your Father who cares, and ask Him, “What am I doubting about You right now, God?” “What am I perceiving that You are unwilling to do for me?” “In what ways am I thinking that this problem is bigger than You are?” God greatly desires that you let His love for you replace every fear that you face in life.
Fear and love – only one can rule your life at a time. Love will cast out fear. Or fear will cast out love. As Joni Eareckson Tada said,
“Let the matchless love of God sweep away your doubts and fears. You already have God’s attention, and you will never lose it.”
| Fear enslaves. It holds you captive to its demands and accusations. | Love enables. It doesn’t merely “help” you – it gives you the super-natural power and ability to do things that are not natural for you. |
| Fear torments. It speaks lies to you about yourself, about God, and about your circumstances. | Love comforts and gives courage. It encourages you and is patient with you. |
| Fear weighs us down with a focus on the future. It gets you to focus on the “What ifs…?” and “If onlys…” | Love calls us to live in the present. It receives whatever God sends now because it rests in whatever God sends. |
~Becky Keilen
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