“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. We love Him
because He first loved us.” 1
John 4:18-19
What is fear?
Synonyms for fear are “dread,
terror, horror, panic, alarm and apprehension”. Because we are human we still become
frightened of future eventualities. Those
that have love in their hearts, perfect love from above, are less likely to
become fearful. As it says, “fear involves torment” and God is not
in the tormenting business. We torment ourselves with worry and panic regarding
things we have no control over. I’m that
way sometimes. I fret over things that
will probably never happen. Where is my
faith? It has temporarily given way to
what I perceive to be reality. While a person’s perception is their reality,
God controls all things, so our reality should not be a dreadful thing unless
we have said or done something to bring it about. The dreadful
thing would be the consequences we have invited into our life.
Perfect love casts out all
fear. It’s how one can have the peace that passes all understanding in the
midst of a storm of unsettled chaos. (Philippians 4:7) It is a placid state of being that allows
fearful thoughts to pass through us
yet not reside in our minds.
The last statement from verse 19 is pretty amazing all by
itself. God loved us before we even knew
Him. It’s normal for a human to love
those that love them, but to love someone first before they even know us is
considered abnormal. In this day and age
it might even be classified as creepy or unsettling. But that’s how this love thing works with
God. He created us and therefore He
loves us more than we could ever comprehend.
We come to love Him once we find out about His love for us and the price
that was paid for our redemption. It’s
what love is; Christ on the cross, the living, breathing example of love
personified. Be a reflection of God’s
love. Until next time, walk with the
King and be a blessing!
Dictionary used: American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language,
Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing
Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
