Anxious and Afraid

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. 1 John 4:18 (ESV)

Have you noticed how prevalent fear is in our culture? We don’t always call it fear, we offer different names for it—anxiety, panic, apprehension, dread, terror, these either elevate or minimalize the presence of fear but in the end it’s all fear and fear grips all of us.

So how does love allay fear? First, it’s important to put the love we’re talking about in perspective. The source of this “perfect love” is from God, offered to the man or woman who accepts it and chooses to worship him. Fear is replaced with trust. Please understand there’s nothing wrong, so far as I can tell with being frightened; there is something wrong with staying frightened. Our God loves us with unquenchable love. Love, and peace ripple in his wake. If we run to God, our rock, he will unravel our fears and replace them with peace because He loves us.

It’s interesting to note that fear is never a tool of God to draw us to him. Fear is the weapon of Satan. In fact, the Scripture describes Satan as a roaring lion. That roar is used by the lion to cripple the resolve of its enemy and that’s exactly what Satan desires to do to us. In fact, I believe the enemy equates fear with worship, thus if he can bring fear to us, he can cause us to shift our eyes off of Jesus the lover of our souls and on to the circumstances around us and our worship directed to God is hindered. Are you afraid? Run to the God who loves you perfectly and rest in his protection.

Prayer for today:

Father, there are times I find myself trembling in fear. I don’t want to live that way. I choose to trust you and run to you. Please see me, rescue me, and cover me with your safety so that with you I find myself embraced with peace. May your love surround me and keep me safe. Amen.

Pastor Wes