Perfect Love Casts Out Fear

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart.
And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27

What is the greatest challenge to us as we live out our faith? Doubt? Pain? Disappointment? Anger? All these may be important challenges we must face; however, they find their hold on the human heart through the true opposite of faith: FEAR. Bible writers understood this. John wrote, “Perfect love casts out fear.” (1 John 4:18) Most of the time when God or a messenger of God appears in the Bible the first words are, “Do not be afraid.” Far too often, it is our fear that prevents us from experiencing the love of God in our lives.

Jon Ortberg (a terrific pastor and Christian writer) has this to say:
Try a thought experiment. Imagine not being afraid any more. Imagine facing financial difficulties or an irate boss with inner poise and resolve. Imagine receiving bad news and generating constructive ways to solve the problem rather than spiraling through the worst-case scenarios. Imagine facing rejection and obstacles without giving in to discouragement. Imagine acknowledging the mistakes you have made, moving confidently into the future. Imagine doing all of this with God as your partner and friend. Now imagine people around you coming to you when they are upset or discouraged because they find that your peace of mind is contagious. The mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace, and what you are imagining is your mind immersed in the Spirit’s flow.
Peace doesn’t come from finding a lake with no storms. It comes from having Jesus in the boat. (Matthew chapter 8). The Me I Want to Be, p. 115-116

Take courage, my friends. There is no storm of life, no trial or struggle you face, no disappointment or frustration you experience, that God cannot deal with. Take a deep breath. Fill your mind with things that build you up, that encourage you. Pray. Strengthen, deepen, your faith in God. Seek out that friend who has already learned this lesson. Then become that friend other people turn to when they are afraid.

Paul put it another way: “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.” Romans 12:2

Perfect love casts out fear. Keep on reminding yourself. And remember: that kind of love comes straight from the heart of God.

In Christ, Michael