1 John 4:18 “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.”
There is a lot of conviction in the whole chapter of 1 John 4, and it is worth reading and studying. However, at this moment, this one verse is resonating deeply within me. I have found the words of this single verse to be incredibly convicting.
We have all experienced fear in one way or another, at some point in our lives. When fear creeps in, it can be all encompassing and debilitating. It can begin to control our thoughts, actions, and our lives. The question I have been asking myself recently is, where does this fear come from? Where are its roots, and why do we allow ourselves to be controlled by it?
I have learned that fear comes from a lack of trust and faith in God. When we allow ourselves to fall into that pit of fear, whatever the fear may be, our trust is no longer in God. It’s as if we are telling God that He is not capable of handling our circumstance.
I’ve been there, just like everyone else has. The worst part is that I became so buried in my fear, that I tried to take control from the One who controls in all. When I came to this understanding, I felt ashamed that I had let fear have such a stronghold over me.
Thank God for His grace and mercy. Thank God for His patience and love for me. I thank God for a loving husband who listened to me and cared for me through it, and that he allowed me time to work through this struggle with Christ.
Perfect love casts out fear, and that is a truth that I am clinging so tightly to. I know that I am a sinful and imperfect person, but I thank God for salvation through Jesus, and the hope that I have in Him to live a fearless life.
Graceful Living 