Fear is not in love, but perfect love is casting out fear, for fear has chastening. Now he who is fearing is not perfected in love
First Epistle of John 4: 18, Concordant New Testament
How many of us can honestly say that they live a life free of fear? We are often so enamored by fear that we admire those who we see as "Fearless." But there is indeed much to fear in this life of ours. We fear the unknown. We fear that which we cannot control. Sometimes we even fear ourselves. I was once gain reminded of the fears we often inspire in our minds this past few weeks. having come down with a persistent virus, I feared that it would not heal fast enough. Not only that, there were people who feared being near me for fear of catching that virus. It seems that at times the grip of our fears can spread quicker than a California wildfire. So much so, that at times it sems that our fears control our lives. We live each moment in fear of what might happen. But I've recently asked myself this question, is this how God really wants us to live? In fear? Is it the Lords purpose that we live in fear of what lies before us? Or is it His desire that we live each day in the bold confidence that whatever happens, it is through His desire to work all for the good {Paul to the Romans 8:28}. As believers, we have a choice to make. We can live in the grip of fear, or we can trust in the Lord that He is working all for His good. We might not realize that good in the moment, but rest assured that the Father is working things out specifically for that reason. Are our fears of getting sick by being around those who are justified? Maybe, but who's to say that we won't get ill from something else? I've endured my illness, and it's slowly getting better. There will be other trials, but I cannot live in fear of that. Living a life of union in the Father means trusting that He is working all out for the good.
Now we are aware that God is working all together for the good of those who are loving God, who are called according to the purpose.
Paul to the Romans 8: 28, Concordant New Testament
Do you love the Lord? Good, then stop being afraid of every little thing! Instead, trust in the Father that He will work all for the good. This world around us isn't our show, so then why do we waste so much time worrying over circumstances? There is a good reason why Jesus proclaimed in His sermon on the Mount not to worry {Matthews Account 5:25-32}. Why? Because the Father is aware of all that we may need {Matthews Account 5:32}. If God has indeed promised to provide for us, what good are our own fears that He won't do what He says He will do? By giving in to fear, aren't we giving up our own trust in Him? What is it that you have ever been afraid of that God cannot handle? In recent days here in Oregon, local weather predictions have been painting a gloomy picture of "possible" snowfall in our area. Now, some people might like snow, I really don't. My job requires me to work outdoors in all types of weather, so I usually am not looking forward to slogging through snow. So, I became anxious and fearful with each gloomy forcast. Of course, I also prayed that the good of the Father would be done through all of this. Well, guess what, I woke up this Saturday to the news that the local weather gurus were lamenting the fact that the expected cold front did not materialize as bad as they had been predicting. Had I been afraid over nothing? Maybe, but I also know that what I have seen over the past few days is indeed the Father working things for the good. We often lose sight of just how little control we have over the world around us. This is Gods domain! God does not deal in fear, but in love. His desire is that we do not live a life of fear, but one of trust in His love that He will work all for the good despite what we might see and hear. This is a life free of fear.
~Scott~
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