No Fear in Love

Fear is a destructive spirit.  But, as God’s people, we have a different Spirit to empower us when any temptation to “fall” captive to worries and fears surfaces (2 Timothy 1:7).  Michael gives us one of the most beautiful verses in God’s Word on this issue.  Let Holy Spirit bring peace to your heart as you read this day’s writing.

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. --I John 4:18

Alex Mathew in India tells of a friend he had, Michael Francis, who had a career and a family when he contracted leprosy. Once his disease had been cured, he stood in front of the hospital filled with fear. Would his family come and pick him up? They did not. He said he had faced his worst fear, the fear that they would not come, and yet he stood. In Jesus, he still stood! From that day he was never afraid again. He sat homeless on a concrete slab in the streets and told Alex, "See this concrete that I sleep on? It is as soft as velvet. I have found it to be the Savior's lap."

What is your worst fear? Have you ever feared what you would do if you lost someone you love? Have you ever feared that the person you love might say to you, "I do not love you; I never loved you”? Have you feared that your inferiority, worthlessness, lack of acceptableness, and deficiency of love might be revealed? It is just fear. When it comes, do you know that if you have Jesus, fear will wash over you like a wave, and you, too, will still be standing? It is an amazing thing to be confronted at last with your worst fear and to find yourself still standing.You will find it a liberating experience, just as Michael Francis did, and you will be free in a new way, knowing there is nothing left to lose, and therefore, there is nothing to fear.