Perfect Love

You have probably heard the saying, “The opposite of fear isn’t faith, it is love.” I always used to think the opposite of my fears were faith and if I could just have bigger faith, I would not be so easily worried or afraid. 

I’m not going to lie, I have not completely conquered all of my fears. Aside from the difficulty of overcoming fears, I also have a pretty wild imagination. I’m the person who gasps and talks through a movie that isn’t even scary, not because of what is actually going on in the movie, but because of what I think is about to happen. 

As you can imagine, if I can be so emotionally invested in fictional characters on a tv screen, I can easily derail my thoughts about actual circumstances going on in my life. 

My husband and I recently closed on and moved into our very first home. While most new homeowners would be picking out paint samples and making Pinterest Boards (people still use Pinterest, right? #oldlady #nottechsavvy), I got caught up in the necessary (and possible) repairs and let that steal my joy. Granted we had a much longer period of time between having our offer accepted and moving in than most, but it didn’t take long for me to start second guessing. 

As you may have read, I quit my full time job nearly a year ago. While this house is an unfathomable gift from God, I started second guessing “Is this a gift? Or are we just being foolish?” “Did we think this through well enough or just fall in love with the big backyard?” 

One morning, I was praying and asking God (again) “did we make a mistake?” Oftentimes, God speaks to me through music and lyrics and He gave me the song “How He Loves” by John Mark McMillian. For a moment, this song seemed odd, it didn’t have to do with making decisions, worrying, or being afraid. Then what God was telling me finally sunk in. He loves me. His love is scandalous, endless, immeasurable, and overwhelmingly fierce. Could decisions I make, leaps of faith I take, illness, and the curveballs life throws at me even attempt to penetrate the vast love that surrounds me? 

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.” – 1 John 4:18 

I encourage you, whether you are facing a mole hill or mountain, second guessing yourself or facing something you believe to be hopeless, let God’s perfect love cast out your fear. God loves us so much we don’t have to be afraid and can trust Him. Not being afraid and trusting doesn’t mean nothing bad will ever happen, but it does mean we can have peace, rest, and safety in Jesus amidst the storm. 

Also, I am not saying you can live in denial, not face facts, or not take responsibility. We can face obstacles head on with Christ and without fear. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” 2 Timothy 1:7. 

Now, this is more easily said than done and is something I appear to be in constant practice with. But practice I will, surrendering often, and constantly looking to the one who loves me and equips me.