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
A sister in Christ said to me, one day, “I am afraid all the
time. I just want to be me again.” I knew she had many burdens, and I had
prayed for her and with her. I asked my
friend if fear was changing the situation, or making anything better. She had
to admit that it wasn’t. Her dilemma
was, her eyes were focused on her problems, instead of the problem solver.
I think all of us, at times, are so blinded by the hurricane
of problems surrounding us, we can’t see the goodness of God, peacefully
standing, in control, in the midst of it all. When we give our heart to Him, we
are no longer ours, but His. If we would pause long enough to grasp this, we
would realize His perfect calm during the storms of life, allowing Him to be
our strength, power, and peace. Isaiah
26:3 says, “He will keep in perfect peace all those who trust in him.”
The reference in 1 John 4:18 is concerning fear of our
eternity, however, this love is applicable to all areas of our lives, even now
as we live. We try to define love, but our human standards fall short of the
mark. We mostly refer to love as a feeling, because love is something we
possess. 1 John 4:16 explains it better, by saying, “So we know the love that
God has for us, and we trust that love. God is love. Everyone who lives in love
lives in God, and God lives in them.”
This kind of love is not a feeling, but a being who takes up
residency in the hearts of all those who accept Christ as their Savior. The
comprehension of the enormity of this, causes our momentary afflictions to be
viewed in better proportion; diminutive in comparison.
We will have trials in this life, and we will feel pain, but
our fear is replaced with an inward tranquility or resolve, when we understand
that the one who created the universe is in us. He who has overcome the world
can also help us overcome our problems. God’s perfect love, eradicating our
uncertainty, gives way to equanimity of certitude.
When I talked to my friend, at a later time, she was a
changed person. She told me she had released her grip on her anxiety, and accepted
the reality of God’s love in her, to overcome the domination that fear once
held. Her situation had not changed, but her outlook had. She could see through
the darkness to the glory of God inside herself. She was perfected in His love,
and at peace.
Dearest Savior, Thank you for your perfect love that
purifies us from all our imperfections. Amen
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