No Fear in Love

"And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.  God is love.  Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.  This is how love made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment:  In this world we are like Jesus.  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.  We love because he first loved us."  1 John 4:16-19

Two words in one sentence - fear and love.  For many of us who remember the game on Sesame Street, "One of These Things Doesn't Belong", it seems that is the case for these two words.  Unless we use a negative such as "no" or "not", their definitions don't align.  Yet, . . .

There are situations, I have lived through situations, where these words are linked.  Some of you reading this may feel the same way.  We have been in relationships where the word love has fallen into the same sentence with fear.  That fear can come in many different pictures in our lives.  There are times when it can be:

. . .   Fear of Loss of Love

. . .   Fear of Abuse (emotional/physical)

. . .   Fear of Loneliness

. . .   Fear of Defeat

At that point in my life, I felt confusion.  It drained me.  It turned me into a shell of a person.  Others around me could see it.  My family saw it.  I didn't.  I kept moving, yet I felt as if my soul was left behind.  One day, God said, "Enough"!  

It was a day God spoke to my soul.  Through the crying, the disbelief, and the anguish rose strength; the strength of God's love that breaks through all that fear.  God's love is perfection.  Not OUR love, but God's love.  God's love shows us how we are broken and how God is whole.  God's love shows us that there is no place for fear in love.  God's love shows us how strong we can be through God's love.  When we step aside from our daily fears and step into God's love, the perfect God shines upon us.

There is no fear in love.  Powerful words!  We all need to go through life knowing that our Savior, Jesus, has made love perfect.   He will lead us to find that love here on Earth.  He will guide us to the love that is made perfect through Him.  He will reveal to us the truth - no fear in love.  Having simple faith that Jesus will give us all the love we will ever need, His way in His time, is the strength all of us can count on.  No Fear in Love!!  God's love is Perfect!  Spend time drinking in those words.  Smile and know how good God is. 

Dearest Jesus, you are the one who shows us what perfect love is.  That perfect love came to earth.  That perfect love brought people to the truth.  That perfect love died on the cross for us.  That perfect love rose on the third day and waits for us in our heavenly home.  Thank you for helping us know that there is no fear in love.  May we always find strength in those words.  In your gracious name we pray.  Amen!