Don’t Make Fear Comfortable

In 1 John 4:18 (NLT), our Heavenly Father teaches us that by embracing His love, believers are freed from fear. This verse states: “Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.” As we continue to grow in our relationship with God and in our understanding of His love, we are transformed by it. Our perspectives shift from fear to trust and confidence in Him. This is what allows us to truly live in freedom, knowing that God’s perfect love casts out fear and brings about transformation in our lives.

When we talk about how God’s love changes us, it’s not just some abstract idea. It really affects us—how we think about ourselves, how we treat others, and how we face tough times. God’s love is a light in the darkness. As we keep walking with Him—reading His Word to understand His heart, praying to grow closer to Him, and just spending time with Him—we’ll find that these aren’t just routines. They’re moments where we encounter our Heavenly Father who loves us deeply. And through these experiences, we learn that God doesn’t just want us to get by; He wants us to thrive. The wonderful thing about this is that as we thrive in His love, our lives start reflecting that love in amazing ways.

Fear is a powerful emotion that can significantly impact our lives and hinder us from fully embracing the wonderful plan God has for us. When we allow fear to dominate our thoughts and decisions, it creates barriers that prevent us from stepping into the fullness of God’s purpose and blessings. It limits our faith and therefore, overcoming fear should be a priority in our lives.

In Psalm 27:1 (NLT), the psalmist declared: “The LORD is my light and my salvation—so why should I be afraid? The LORD is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?” This verse conveys extraordinary assurance in God’s sovereignty and omnipotence. The psalmist’s unwavering faith shines through, affirming his full confidence in our Heavenly Father. This confidence and faith are essential for us too, trusting that if God is for us, as Romans 8:31 declares, nothing and no one can be against us.

Jesus Christ explains why he came to the earth in John 10:10 (NKJV): “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” Here, Jesus contrasts himself with the thief, the devil, who only brings harm and destruction. Jesus, on the other hand, reveals his mission to offer us a life that’s not just getting by, but thriving—full of his joy, peace, and meaning. His mission is all about giving us hope, rescuing us from darkness, and showing us how to live abundantly in his love and grace.

There can be no doubt that the devil’s mission is to keep us ensnared through fear so that we will not live the powerful life God intends for us all. Our faith in God disrupts the enemy’s plan to steal the power and abundance God has so generously provided to all who love and honor Him. By whispering doubts in our ears, the devil aims to make us to hesitate and withdraw from who God has called us to be and what He has called us to do. Instead of trusting in God’s provision and promises, we might focus on all the ways things could go wrong, and this stalls our spiritual progress and growth.

Fear can really hold us back emotionally and spiritually. It makes us feel unsure about ourselves and our abilities, questioning whether we’re good enough. This can stop us from fully embracing who we are in Christ and from confidently using the unique gifts and talents God has given us. Instead of living boldly and with purpose, we might play it safe and stick to what’s comfortable, missing out on the full, abundant life that Jesus promises to those who follow Him wholeheartedly.

Fear not only undermines our relationships but also leads us to seek comfort in relationships that perpetuate our fears. God didn’t create us to be victims or to live in fear. Genesis 1:26 tells us that He made us in His very own image. 1 John 4:16 (NLT) further affirms: “We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.” Therefore, we were created out of God’s love to both share and receive love in the healthiest and most genuine ways possible.

God desires us to love others through His grace and peace so that we can build strong bonds that nurture us continually. As we open our hearts to Him and learn more about His love through His Word, it empowers us. Embracing our identity in Christ, we begin to confidently walk in the unique gifts and talents that God has bestowed upon each of us. This is His Will. When we place our faith in Him, and commit to live through Christ, fear is no longer made comfortable. Instead, our lives become a testament to God’s transformative power, and we find courage and strength to face each day with hope, purpose, and increasing faith. ■

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

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