If we’re honest, we all get freaked out by something.
Snakes. Darkness. Heights. Monsters in the closet. Certain people or places.
Or maybe what we’re afraid of runs a little deeper.
Rejection. Failure. Being misunderstood. The unknown. Insecurity. Underachieving. Not being liked. Punishment. Death.
Whew. Those are big ones. Many of which I’ve felt from time to time.
But what does fear do to us? It tires us out and holds us back. It controls our choices and dictates are destiny. It limits our potential and leaves us paralyzed.
Which begs the question: How do we kick fear out of our lives? Well, we certainly aren’t strong enough to do it ourselves. Something or someone more powerful needs to handle it.
In order to overcome something negative, we must replace it with something positive. In order to get rid of darkness, we must overwhelm it with something brighter. And nothing does this like unfiltered, unconditional, unwavering love.
Here’s the good news. The Bible says, “Perfect love drives out fear” (1 John 4:18).
When love enters the room, fear whimpers and curls up trembling in a fetal position in the corner and eventually is driven out with its tail between its legs.
That’s kind of what happened when Jesus came. He was perfect love. He drove out fear simply by being present.
He was sinless and blameless. He was pure, holy, and not lacking anything. No hidden agenda. No strings attached.
The other night my 2 year old daughter was awakened by a nightmare and cried at the top of her lungs. And I mean, full stereo. So I raced upstairs and wrapped her sweaty, shaking body in my arms. “Shh. It’s okay. Daddy’s here. I love you,” I whispered. And slowly but surely, she settled down, relaxed, and fell back asleep.
Fear was driven away by love.
Even more so, when we allow the perfect love of our Father to enter our hearts, fear is driven out. All of a sudden, we give up control and give Him control. The comfort of His love doesn’t even compare to the security we were finding in other things.
You see, the more we are consumed by His love, the less we are concerned with what others think.
When we trust in changing circumstances we live in fear. When we trust in God’s unchanging character, we live by faith. Love is the launching pad to live by faith.
Fear limits us, but love launches us. Fear paralyzes us, but love propels us. Fear tires us out of our potential, but love fires us up to be who God made us to be.
Friends, everyday we have a choice: Will we live in fear or live by faith?
First, trust God is with you wherever you go.
Next, step out and do that one thing God wants you to do.
Finally, hold on to His love and enjoy the ride.
It’s worth it.