There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: I John 4:17-19  

My first memory occurred at age four. I was fearful, the kind of fear that causes one to freeze-stuck in the car because a stray cat was on our sidewalk. Fear continued to plague me for years to come. I was afraid of the dark, of being alone, of people, of animals, of water, and of heights. I also feared rejection; I thought others might not love me. Because of this, I became a people pleaser. 

When I trusted Jesus as my Savior, it was a fearful process. I am thankful that I had a reverence for God, but Satan slipped in with his fear tactics to hinder me. Once I surrendered and became a born-again believer, the process of freedom from fear began.

Fear fell from me slowly. I overcame the fear of darkness and being alone when my husband Michael worked a second shift job. Overcoming the fear of water came when I learned to swim with my kids. I overcame the fear of travel when I decided to get into the car and go! The first time I flew on an airplane, I felt paralyzed with fear, but I overcame it. When I experienced unexpected problems with my first and third deliveries, I learned to trust the Lord with my health, thus crushing that fear. Fearing rejection dropped from our marriage when our problems cumulated to a place of crisis, but we survived. A recent battle brought me to a new area of freedom from rejection. I still fear heights but I hope to overcome this someday. I am uncertain of the future, and I am sure new experiences may bring new fears, but I know where to turn. 

I believe the core of my fear was the lack of knowledge of God’s love. The more I studied God’s word, the more I understood His love for me. Jesus’s love is the greatest (John 15:13). His love will never fail (I Cor. 13:8). I will never be enough, but He is enough (John 15:5). Jesus gave His life for me (John 3:16), He intercedes for me (Romans 8:34). He forgives me (I John 1:9), He keeps me (Eph. 1:13), and He will take me to Heaven (John 14:3). Jesus is mine, and I am His (Song 2:16). I love Him because He loves me (I John 4:19). Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so (John 3:16)! 

Once Christ dwells in our hearts by faith, we are to become rooted and grounded in His love (Eph. 3:17). The more we understand God’s boundless love (Eph. 3:18-19), the less tormented we are by the things that cause us to fear. Our love is made perfect or mature by immersing ourselves in God’s word. He means for us to understand His love and live a bold and victorious life in Him. Ladies, let love reign and fear fall away. 

What are your fears?

Have you been born-again?

Read God’s Word and discover His love for you.

WORDS OF TRUTH

Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as he is, so are we in this world. 

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.

We love him, because he first loved us.

I John 4:17-19