FEAR IS NO MATCH FOR LOVE.
“Don’t be afraid. I am with you. Don’t tremble with fear. I am your God. I will make you strong, as I protect you with my arm and give you victories.” Isaiah 41:10 (CEV)
Maybe you’ve faced financial challenges, dealt with division in the family, or grieved the loss of a loved one. Such stressful events can leave you angry, doubting and fearful. Live that way long enough and depression settles in. Then you start to see the negative in everything. You can’t manage to find the joy to celebrate in anything. There is no peace or love or rest in your life. This is NOT the way I intended you to live.
How have I intended you to live? The answer is in love not fear. “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” (1 John 4:18 NIV)
In 1 John 4:18 you see that “There is no fear in love.” As powerful as fear is, it’s no match for love.
When my love moves into your heart, fear has to move out. It’s that easy. Imagine your greatest fear… maybe your palms are sweating even now as you think about it. Perhaps this fear has had you paralyzed for years. Perhaps the something or someone you fear is fresh in your mind. Maybe it has you convinced that you can’t and you never will get past it. Dear child, don’t believe that lie! My love can set you free.
Ask me to show you how much I love you. Look to my word for examples of my love. Talk to my people for encouragement. Sing songs of praise to lift your heart. Call out to me, and I will pour my love out upon your life. Do these things and will you see results.
NEXT STEPS:
Look back on your own life. How many bad choices have you made because you were fearful of something or someone?
Read just one example of Jesus showing love and mercy in John 8:1-11.
Listen to the song The Stand or another worship song of your choosing and let God’s love fill your heart as you do.