How much has fear dominated your mind in the past month?

When I think about the times I felt real fear in my life, those times can really be put into two categories:

• Fear of the police / authorities
• Fear of those who intend (or who I perceived to intend) harm

Fear of those who would do harm to me or people I love probably doesn’t need much explanation. If you are walking down the street and someone threatens you, fear is a normal response.

Fear of the police / authorities deserves a little more explanation. I’m not implying that the authorities were in any way wrong or bad people. If I violate the law, they are right to punish me. So, when I was pulled over for going 90 mph on the interstate driving home from college, I felt fear.

No Love
The one consistent thing with both these situations is that there is no love from those who are feared. There is no relationship at all, but there is a threat. That produces fear.

Where There Is Love
On the other hand, there were plenty of times when I did something wrong and had to face my parents. I may not have liked the discipline I faced, but I didn’t feel fear. When I confess to my wife something I’ve done that wronged her, I feel shame and sorrow, but I don’t feel fear. Why?

I know they love me.

I may need to be disciplined or do something to fix the damage I’ve done, but I know that I’m still loved. I know the discipline or correction is done out of love and a desire to restore, not a desire to harm.

No Fear In Love
It’s because of love, that we in the church are told to confess our sins to each other. We do not need to fear each other when we confess. We know that other people, out of love, will forgive and restore. That is a great effect of the love we show each other, but that love is far from perfect because we are far from perfect.

Perfect Love Drives Out Fear
God’s love is greater. Because of His great love for us as shown in Jesus’ great sacrifice on the cross, we can freely and without fear confess our sins to Him. However, it’s more than that. His perfect love drives out fear.

• We do not need to fear condemnation.
• We do not need to fear the devil.
• We do not need to fear discipline.
• We do not need to fear death.
• We do not need to fear any authority.
• We do not even need to fear the thug on the street.

God’s love is greater than all that. God’s love works all things for good. God’s love carries us through all trials and tribulations, even death itself.

Next time you start to feel fear, remember the great love of God and His wonderful promises. Ask Him to deliver you from the fear. Then go in peace.

Heavenly Father,

Even though my sin is great, I do not fear coming to You. I know that You love me and desire to forgive me. I confess that I have sinned and ask for Your forgiveness. I also bring You all my fears. Please remove them and fill my mind with Your promises. Please give me Your peace.

Amen.