December 10, 2017
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There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. – 1 John 4:18
In the mid-1980s my mother wrote a poem she titled “Rout Fear.” The first verse reads:
There’s a giant we must conquer
And his name is Fear.
He’s standing between us and joy
And causes many a tear.
Yes, fear can be a real problem, even for believers. After all, there is much to be fearful of: failing health, dwindling finances, a crumbling job market, and all the what-ifs that life has for us. Entire days can be spent with our minds just whirling with worries and fears and, thus, torment.
Yet, our Father in Heaven does not expect us to live in torment. Being tormented by fear means we are focusing on the problem (or maybe even the perceived problem) rather than on God, whose perfect love can free us from that torment.
If our lives are surrendered totally to Christ, we can believe that all things work together for good to them that love God. During a particularly trying time, it may be difficult to grasp this truth and really believe it. But it is possible to trust His promise, and when we do, tormenting fear is replaced with peace.
Another verse of Mom’s poem reads:
We’re coming in His holy Name,
All pain and fear must go.
Our Lord will surely drive them out,
Because His LOVE we know.
His perfect love is the answer to the fears we face. God wants us to trust Him completely. By doing so, we can have the real peace that only Jesus gives.
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