“There is no fear in love; perfect love drives out all fear. So then, love has not been made perfect in anyone who is afraid, because fear has to do with punishment.” ~ ‭‭1 John‬ ‭4:18‬ ‭GNT‬‬

God’s love for us is perfect toward us. When we know, believe, and fully trust God’s love, we are free from the grip of fear, for we know God will bring victory through our every difficulty, in His time and having accomplished His purpose.

Take health issues. It is easy for fear to cause us struggle in health issues, especially if we believe that God’s love and our faith should bring in our healing. We forget what God is doing in and through us. We don’t realize that person we see at the doctors office we visit every month goes home strengthened to cope with their life issues because of the effect our presence has on them. The light of Christ and the strength of our trust in God ministers a healing in them far greater than our healing would work, or God would move quicker in us. I believe that.

Then there’s the need for us to grow stronger trust in Him to Shepherd us through the valley, however deep and wide it may be. Paul learned reliance on God’s power for his weakness because God said no to the removal of his issue. Sometimes the only way our stubborn flesh will die to self that God’s power may live and reign in us is through struggle and pain putting us on our proverbial face before His throne of grace.

Fear is an enemy of God. It’s hold on us reveals our lack of a deep, abiding faith that truly trusts God’s love and grace at all cost. If fear is attacking you, take every thought captive to God’s love. Find verses of promise and instruction that helps you overcome as you trust God, taking Him at His Word. Fear cannot take hold where God’s love prevails.

“May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and in his grace gave us unfailing courage and a firm hope, encourage you and strengthen you to always do and say what is good.” ~ 2 Thessalonians‬ ‭2:16-17‬ ‭GNT‬‬