Fear

There is a feeling that all humans have felt at some point in their lives. Whether it be daily, occasionally, or rarely, fear is a feeling that is universally known. From young ones to our deathbed, we tend to fear things, usually things that are out of our control. I know that in my own life, there have been many times when I feared. Will I get to do the things I want to do? How will my finances look in the coming months? Am I making the right decisions that God wants me to make? Is God going to fulfill me if I dedicate my life to following Him? 

 
All of those things are thoughts I've had that have either been verbalized or sat in the back of my head for a while, going unchecked. Some of them sat there for quite a while and I hadn't taken the time to realize how my life was being affected by those underlying fears. In fact, I've made decisions based on the fears I was living in! I know most others have done the same in their own lives. People can run away from responsibilities because they're afraid of being committed to something or someone. Some are afraid of submitting to God because they think their lives will be worse off if they aren't "in charge". Sometimes people even miss out on the life they could have because they're afraid of risking their comforts!  

 
I read today in 1 John 4:18 that "perfect love casts out fear." The verse says, "But there is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear, For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love". This means that when we truly understand the perfect love God has for us, we'll be able to trust Him fully and forsake the fear we often pick up. Fear is a way Satan keeps us from trusting, committing to, and following God. The only one who wins when we are being fearful is Satan. He wants us to doubt God, flounder, and ultimately turn against our Creator. Instead, let us hold fast to our God who has promised to turn all things for His glory, and trust that He has a purpose for all our pain in this life. Then we can live truly free from the fear that we let ensnare us. 

Blessings, 

Pastor Jesse