No Fear In Love

I recently read a book about a Jewish family who fought hard for survival during World War Two. I was amazed by their courage in the face of a certain horrifying death. Their will to survive and to protect their family was fear-defying. The one thing that fueled that courage to face their fear was LOVE. Their love for their family and the strong desire to protect them.
 

Scripture has a lot to say about fear. We all know in Isaiah 41:10, and the context within which God spoke it. “Fear not, for I am with you…”

That is just one example. “Fear not” is not spoken in the absence of fear but rather in its presence. The reality is that we do fear, and fear can take many shapes and sizes. It can hide in places that we are not aware of.  It could be our fears for our kids, ourselves, the state of the world, our finances, and so on. It hides in our insecurities and trust issues. It steals our joy, freedom, and peace. It can also create obstacles in our relationships.

But what does LOVE have to do with it?  In the face of Fear, LOVE is HUGE. Why LOVE? 

I am talking about God’s love, a love never fails and there is no condemnation or shame. Remember that we serve a High Priest who can sympathize with us.

If you have time, I will encourage you to read 1 John 4. This passage of Scripture tells that Love is from God, God is Love, there is no fear in Love, perfect Love drives out fear and we Love because He first Loved us.  Verse 16 encourages us to rely on the Love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.

Thinking back to the book and the family whose love whose love for one another fueled their courage in the face of fear, I ponder a few things. Perhaps what we are supposed to do, is dissipate fear with a reminder of God’s  Love. A Love that is always present, never failing, a Love that is demonstrated on the Cross for us. It is a Love that promises many things, including, Eternal Life with Him. Perhaps we should be assured of that Love and have confidence in Him who gives it because He has given us His Holy Spirit as a seal. See 1 John 4: 13-15.

It is through the power of the Holy Spirit that we can face our fear because it gives strength and power to the Inner Man, Ephesians 3:14-16. 

Beloved Sisters in Christ,  when fear comes in and threatens to take your joy and peace with it, think of HIS LOVE. Put your trust in Him. Trust that the One who created all things knows you by name. You are not hidden from Him and nothing, absolutely nothing can snatch you from His hands. Do you know that you can call on the Name of Jesus regardless of the situation, whether rational or irrational fear? Whether reality or nightmares? Whether present or in the future worries? Call on His Name. His Love cast out fear, and that Love is everlasting and never wavers. 

With His Joy and Love, Adzele.