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 perfect in love.  1 John 4:18  ESV

Have you ever heard the term crippling fear?  What’s worse, have you ever experienced crippling fear?  If you haven’t and you are wondering what it is like, let me tell you.  It is the kind of fear that literally leaves you unable to speak or move.  This is the kind of fear that the devil loves.  If you have read my blog, then you know that I have written several times about fear.  I write about fear because it is a very powerful tool that the devil uses us to stop us from doing what God has called us to do.

When we are crippled by fear, then we are helpless and useless to God.  I am happy to say that I have never been in a situation where I was crippled by fear, I was always able to pray and act and get myself out of whatever particular situation I was in, praise God.  God has given me the ability to remain calm in times where a normal person would freak out.  I can at least wait to freak out until after it’s over.  But I have had dreams where I am in a dangerous situation and I was literally frozen.  I opened my mouth to scream, but could get no sound out.  I have had dreams where I had my gun and tried to fire it, but it would not fire.  I have had dreams where someone was coming after me and I knew I needed to run and I tried desperately but could not get my feet to move.

Fear is simply an emotion, but there is nothing simple about it.  The truth is that fear can totally devastate us.  Now some of you are reading this and saying something like, “I can’t help it” or “God made me that way”.  The truth of the matter is, if we are saved and living in close relationship with God then we have absolutely no reason to fear.  If we have that perfect love then it will cast out our fear.  If we have the love of Christ in our hearts, then we should have no fear.  Psalm 118:6 says, “The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”   And one of my favorite verses is Romans 8:31 which tells us that if God is for us, who can be against us?  We know that Romans 8:28 tells us that “All things work for the good of those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose”.  Romans 8:37 tells us that “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”  We are not just conquerors we are even more than conquerors, more than victorious.  We win big!

I am no different than you, my first reaction to bad news is fear, but praise God. I have now learned to immediately pray.  When I pray I draw my strength from God.  Philippians 4:13 tells us that “We can do all things through Christ who gives us strength”.  

If you are fearful over some situation that you are facing, I strongly suggest that you read Romans 8:28-39, Psalm 91, and 2 Chronicles 20.  These are just a few of the chapters that teach us, that with God on our side, we truly have nothing to fear.  Most importantly, we should never allow our fear to conquer us, we should conquer our fear.  John Wayne was my mom’s all-time favorite movie star.  As a child, I was subjected to every single movie that came out starring John Wayne and have seen most of them many, many times.  One of his great sayings was about courage.  John Wayne once said that, “Courage is when we are scared to death, but we saddle up and ride out anyway”.  Well, that is a perfect description of faith as well.  You see when we step out in faith we are telling God that we know that He has this.  We know that He’s got our back and He will not allow us to be harmed.  He will take perfect care of us.  You see He has that perfect love for us.  When we draw near to Him, He helps us to strive to have that perfect love as well and we know from our scripture passage this morning that perfect love casts out fear.

So, I don’t know what you may be facing this morning, but I can tell you this.  If you love the Lord with all your heart and you are striving to do your very best to please Him, then He holds you in his very capable hands.  If you are not living this way, then I strongly encourage you to do so.  God should not be our 911, he should be our constant refuge, but that’s a whole other blog.  Anyway, if you are living for the Lord, then know that He’s got your back.  Isaiah 35:4 tells us that we are to be strong and not fear, for our God will come with a vengeance, with the recompense of God.  He will come and save us!  In Isaiah 43:1 we are told not to fear for God has redeemed us.  He has called us by name, we are His!

As you face whatever may be coming your way, remember Psalm 112:7-8, “He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.  His heart is steady; he will not be afraid, until he looks in triumph on his adversaries”.  So stand firm as the battle rages, knowing that God is our great deliverer.  He won’t let you down.  Deuteronomy 3:22 says, “You shall not fear them, for it is the Lord your God who fights for you“.

The bottom line is this, we have a shield, we have a protector and a refuge.  We must choose to reside in the shelter of God’s perfect love (Psalm 91:1-2).  We must turn to Him and allow Him to protect us and ask Him to guide us as He would have us to go.  Proverbs 16:7 tells us that when we please the Lord, he makes even our enemies be at peace with us.  Psalm 34:7 tells us that the angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and delivers them.

I don’t know what you are facing today, but I do know that you can either allow the fear to cripple you and make the devil really happy, or you can give it all over to God. Yesterday we spoke of pride.  I would much rather be standing in God’s protection than alone with my pride, just sayin’.  This thing is too big for you, give it to God.  Show those around you that you love the Lord, and trust in Him, and watch Him deliver you.  Let it be a good witness when others know that you love God and they see He works everything out for your good.  Doesn’t that sound so much easier than going into battle alone?  Think about it.

Have a great day!