Love Drives Out Fear
Fear and worry are common in our society today. And people seem to worry and be afraid about the simplest things. The other day I was talking to a friend about some pictures she needed to get framed. She said she had taken them to the frame shop three times, but had never left them to be framed because she was afraid she would make the wrong choice of frames. She had finally left them on her fourth visit, but was now afraid to go pick them up.
I used to worry a lot. I was afraid to talk to people; I was even afraid to leave my house. I remember having a panic attack at a traveling Smithsonian exhibit because I lost sight of my husband. In retrospect, it was silly to be afraid because I knew where our car was, I had the keys, and I knew the way home. Plus I knew he was there somewhere. But fear gripped me anyway.
This kind of fear and worry do not come from God. They are lies of the evil one. The apostle John wrote: “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 4:16. When we know and understand God’s love, there is no need to fear. Even in our most difficult trials, He has won for us the ultimate victory through His love and sacrifice. In the words of the old hymn, “Though the devil may ruin, though trials may come, It is well with my soul.”
But how do we avoid fear and worry in a world that caters to and preys on these emotions? The answer is given to us in 1 Peter 5:7, which is the basis of this poem:
On 1 Peter 5:7
Cast all your anxiety
On Him.
All?
Yes, all.
Keep none for yourself.
Why would He
Want all my anxiety?
Because
He cares for you.
Why would I
Want to give it away?
Because
Then you will know
Peace and freedom
For your soul.
God’s perfect love has driven out fear from my heart. I pray He will do the same for you.
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Linda,
Very awesome post. I used to allow fear and doubt into my world, buut instead of being the standard, yhey are now an alarm. When I begin to feel fear, worry, and doubt to creep into the perimeter, that is my signal that I need to spend more time in prayer. Fear and worry are extinguished by faith. God Bless
Jim
Linda,
I know that kind of fear. For a long time…I kept postponing the process of getting a Polish citizenship based on fear. There were always the ‘what if…’ question in my mind. But when I finally gave the matter…I mean fully surrendered to God, I found peace for my soul…and courage for the journey He has in store for me.
Fear…only seeks to paralysed us from moving on towards the things God has in store for us.
Thank you for this great reminder to cast our cares to Him.
Gladwell
Gladwell, Yes, fear seeks only paralyze us, Satan seeks to keep us from furthering God’s kingdom through fear. I am so happy to hear that God helped you overcome your fear of becoming a Polish citizen and for your journey with Him. Peace, Linda
Linda,
Thank you for speaking to me about fear…Though I expereince freedom in Christ, there are times in my life that the devil puts fear in my heart…..I feel the more you know and is confident about His love, less will we fear about our life…I know that I’m much better in that matter than few months back…yet to be perfected in many areas…
Thank you for that wonderful devotion
Rani
Rani, Always remember that “God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7. As long as no one can take Christ from your heart, you have nothing to fear. Peace, Linda
Thank you, Linda, for the beautiful reminder that we don’t have to fear. We can have freedom instead, in His love. 🙂 God bless you as you write for Him . . .and bless us! deb
Deb, I’m glad my writing has blessed you! 🙂 It was you that inspired the poem. Reading your wonderful and inspiring poetry every day has brought out a side of my writing that I have not explored much. And so you are a blessing to me! Peace, Linda