Perfect Love Casts Out All Fear 

As 2017 comes to an end, and the beginning of 2018 approaches, we must continue to remain focused on God. During the holiday season we may get carried away with worldly aspects and desires, we may even start to feel anxious or depressed as one year ends and another begins. Often, people feel excited. No matter what though, always focus on God and stay in constant prayer.

For me, I deal with anxiety on a daily basis. It’s rough. But I pray to God about it all the time. I am anxious in particular about a new year approaching: I do not know what to expect, what is to come. I have to completely trust in God alone to guide me through the new year. “The LORD [is] my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, [and] my high tower” (Psalm 18:2).

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There are 365 scriptures that state, do not be afraid. That is one scripture for each day of the year. God doesn’t want us to worry or fear or to feel so anxious and unsure about things that go on in our lives. He wants us to remain faithful and trusting in Him alone for He is our comforter, our provider, our Lord and our Saviour. “Behold, God [is] my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH [is] my strength and [my] song; he also is become my salvation” (Isaiah 12:2).

God said He is always there for us, that He hears our prayers and answers them. His perfect care and love for us casts out all fear. “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).

(Picture from Pinterest)

God gave us a sound mind, not to be filled or led by fear. God tests our faith, daily, especially when we are in doubt or in fear and are not giving it all to Him to handle and trusting in Him completely. “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).

Remember when Jesus told His disciples to enter on to the ship while He went away into the mountains to pray alone and when He was finished, He headed over towards the ship where they were, walking on the sea. The disciples were afraid and thought it was a spirit, so they cried out in fear. Jesus replied to the disciples and said “be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid (Matthew 14:27). Jesus didn’t want His disciples to be led by fear, but rather having complete faith in Him, regardless of whether or not they knew it was Him indeed walking on the water towards the ship. Peter questioned Jesus and said if it is truly you Lord then allow me to walk on the water towards you. So Jesus made this happen and Peter exited the ship and was approaching Jesus on the water. But then when the wind became stronger, Peter became afraid, and started to sink, so he called out, and said “Lord, save me” (Matthew 14:30). “And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? (Matthew 14:31).

Whether it’s fear, doubt, anxiety, distress, it’s all one in the same because it simply means that we are lacking faith in God. We must walk by faith and not by sight. We must believe that God is going to look after us, and support us, even if we may not see that happening yet. Sometimes our prayers don’t get answered right away or they get answered but we do not understand exactly how because God’s input to that prayer may be different than what we exactly requested, with the outcome still remaining the same. All of these moments, these events, these times of trouble and desperation, seeking God and praying to Him, is all a test of our faith. “Fear thou not; for I [am] with thee: be not dismayed; for I [am] thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness” (Isaiah 41:10).

Things aren’t going to be perfect or go the exact way that we had hoped or planned. That’s life though. Everything happens for a reason. As long as our faith remains true and stands strong with God, whom then shall we fear? How can anxiety stay in our lives or let it control us? “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31).

When we study the scriptures, stay in prayer daily, talk to God, let Him lead us, do everything according to His will, our mindset should change. We must not let fear control us. Fear is of the devil. Love and faith is of God.

(Picture from Pinterest)

I write these posts to encourage others, as well as to help and correct myself too because I know what it’s like to struggle, to lack faith, to let fear and anxiety control my thoughts, emotions and even actions also. Thankfully though God is patient, He is merciful, and we should forever be grateful for His grace and love for us all.

Enjoy the holidays. Take a positive stance when the new year comes. Read your Bible, and pray to God without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

God Bless.

 

Category: mom blog