by Sis. Kim Roberts
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.
I John 4:18
I am scared!” how many times have we heard our children say that in the middle of the night? My children went through a time of being scared in the night. We taught them 2 Timothy 1:7, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." We told them to quote that over and over until they felt better in the night. As we grow older, our fears become more than just of the dark. We fear the unknown of a new school, the passing of a college entrance exam, a job interview, the choosing of our lifelong spouse, and the list goes on and on. Sometimes we begin to let all these fears of everyday life control us.
As a young girl, I grew up in a split home tossed back and forth between my parents. Constantly changing schools, houses, states, and friends gave such an inconsistency in my life. Circumstances of life can cause insecurities and fear that can be carried over into your marriage and ministry. When you let fear control your mind, it creates a degree of distrust. You find yourself not fully trusting anyone, even God’s will and plan. And as embarrassing as it is to admit, you feel like YOU need to have control in YOUR life, therefore, keeping you from fully surrendering to God. When there is not full surrender, there is not trust; therefore there is no peace. No peace in your home nor your mind. The Bible says in 1 John 4:18, "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." You can become so tormented by so many effects of fear it becomes impossible to experience perfect love for God, your husband, children, and just life in general. Fear and love cannot coexist, fear will drive perfect love out, and perfect love will drive fear out. Because of fear, you can begin to doubt even yourself and if you can really hear from God.
Every decision with the ministry would almost drive me sick with fear wondering if we were really making the right decisions. One day in prayer, fretting and worried sick, the Lord gave me this verse in Psalm 37:23, "The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and He delighteth in His way." If we are loving God with perfect love, He is going to lead our steps and let us know when we are about to do the wrong thing. When we come to this realization, we understand that we must have God's help. God does not give us a spirit of fear, but He wants us to have a sound mind (sober, well-balanced mind). WE have to overcome those fears and disappointments in life and work on our mind being “sound.” I started quoting Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
We must “gird up the loins of our mind.” If we genuinely want virtue and praise, as this verse says, we cannot allow our mind to dwell on the negativities. We must learn to love God with everything inside of us and to delight ourselves in Him!!! When we learn to really love Him, there is such a peace and trust that affects every part of our life. Little by little those insecurities leave, and we become thankful for the things in life that made us who we are today instead of bitter. Truly loving God teaches us how to love and submit to our husbands truly. Truly loving God teaches us how to raise and discipline our children in true love. Truly loving God helps us to love life in general.
No matter your past, good or bad, the devil tries so hard to control our mind and life with fear. Make up in your mind to delight yourself in the Lord every day! Learn how to love Him with a perfect love and in complete surrender. Your joy can be restored when you find that perfect love and the fear, doubt, and distrust is cast out.
I will finish with the last part of 1 John 4:16, "God is love, and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him." It’s such a relaxing feeling to “dwell” in God and feel that overwhelming love that God gives when He “dwells” in you.
Comments