Fear That Kills

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18 (KJV) 

  

  Fear torments us. It causes dread. It clouds our thinking. Fear robs us of hope and joy. Fear is destructive in many ways. 

  Recently I heard a terrible story. A man and his wife thought they had the Covid-19 virus. In their despair the man killed his wife, and them himself. A short time later their Covid-19 test results came back and it turned out that the couple did not even have the virus. 

  Love, faith, hope, and courage comes from trusting God and His word. Believing in His precious promises to us, and knowing that we have a wonderful future in store for us. These are the things ground us in fearful times. 

   

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:1 

  

  As in our example of the couple above, giving in to fear can get you killed. When robbed of hope by fear, despair sets in. Destructive ideas fill your mind. Your enemy doesn’t need to destroy you when you give in to fear, because you are doing his job for him. 

  The Lord wants His children to believe the best, hope for the best, and know that even if the worst were to beset us, Jesus would be there to see us through it all. 

  We are not without help in this world. Believers have a Lord who is faithful to us, and all He asks in return is for us to have faith in Him. When we believe what He says, trusting He will either deliver us, or see us through any challenge we face, we show ourselves to be people of courage and faith. We are people walking with, and remaining faithful to our Lord. We have courage not because everything goes our way, but because we have a personal relationship with the Lord Almighty who rules over all things. Who or what can be against us if Jesus our Lord is for us and with us? (Romans 8:31) 

  Prayer: Lord Jesus, we are beset by fears and challenges, the days appear dark and dreadful. Help us to never lose sight of the light you bring into this world, and into the heart of every believer. Amen.