How the Perfect Love of God Drives Out Fear
By Amanda Idleman
Bible Reading
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
Have you experienced God’s perfect love in your life?
What did it feel like?
How did it change your situation or perspective?
God’s love is the one and only force powerful enough to truly change us. To redeem us. To rescue us from our own sin, fear, and confusion. His love makes us perfect.
The primary quality of perfect love is that with this kind of love present fear is banished. When fear enters a situation, that means we aren’t walking in God’s perfect love. With that in mind, it’s clear that we are not living in the full reality of God’s love so much of the time.
I know that I, for one, live with fear and anxiety as my default approach more often than not. When an unexpected expense pops up my gut reaction is anxiety over how the extra bill will be paid rather than a peace that the God who knows every hair on my head will provide exactly what I need. If my child is struggling I immediately hop into Mom action mode trying to control the situation for their benefit rather than pausing to pray for wisdom. If I experience conflict in my marriage or with others I love, I fret endlessly over how things played out, instead of going to God in repentance and seeking His gracious understanding.
I live with fear and anxiety because I live by my strength not by his grace.
That’s why we need to be reminded that this Christian life we have been gifted is not one about rules or measurements. It’s a grand love story. When we are tempted to fear we are invited to recall our first love and all the ways God has so graciously provided for us.
Remember how the last time you felt a financial pinch, God provided! How he has held your marriage together despite both of your imperfections. How he gifted you that child and loves them even more than you do. His love is deep, wide, and relentlessly pursuing us.
When we grab onto that perfect love the voice of fear grows quieter and quieter until it is silenced because God’s love casts out all fear. FEar and love cannot coexist.
This week I was convicted to practice what I preach. I felt anxiety well up in me as a child we know is at risk and I am not sure if or how I could be the one to help care for them. I am afraid of how my lack of action would impact the child and how my potential actions would impact my family. It feels like either way I’d be letting someone down or putting someone at risk. I am afraid.
Then I was reminded of this verse and how God loves this child that is being knit together in a womb and my first job is to pray for this child. His love and provision is big enough to give me wisdom and this child a hope and a future. I have to hold onto God's hand and rely on his peaceful guidance rather than fretting over the many unknowns that could unfold in this wild situation.
It amazes me that no matter how many times I have witnessed God’s miracle working power in my life I still so quickly forget and doubt his loving sovereign work in my life. I am like the Israelites, wandering and so quickly looking to my own self-made gods to solve the problems of my own wilderness journey rather than looking to the one that promises to deliver me to the promise of Heaven. Thankfully God’s love is patient and kind. He allows us to repent, to learn, and to return to Him over and over as we journey through life. For that amazing grace I am so thankful.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Have you truly experienced God’s life-changing, fear-banishing love? If not, take time to pray and ask God to show you how to fall in love with him. If you have, reflect on what God has done for you. As you face new fearful challenges, recall his goodness, love, and faithfulness. Take time to grab his hand and walk forward with his peace.
Listen to Do It Again by Elevation Worship this week as a way to remind your spirit that the God who did will for you will do it over and over again!
Further Reading:
3 Dangers of Having a Controlling Spirit
Bible Verses about God's Love
How to Understand and Internalize God’s Deep Love for Us
Photo Credit: © Getty Images/kieferpix
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