From Fear to Love

Turning fear to love is not easy.

Fear of others. Fear of what they could do to me. Fear of what they might think of me. Those fears can control me to the point of inaction.

In reality those fears are founded in wrong values.

If those fears are controlling me, they reveal that I value myself more than I value God. I'm placing more value on my earthly life than it's worth.

"And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell" (Mt 9:28).

Rather than fearing those around me who may be able to harm me physically or emotionally, fear God.

Rather than fearing those around me who may be able to ruin my reputation or hurt my pride, fear God.

Why?

God has control over my eternal destiny. Physical or emotional damage is only temporary. My reputation, my pride, or even my life can only be damaged for a short period of time.

But God has control over all eternity.

Fear Him.

But I don't need to fear God either. The love that He has demonstrated in sending His Son removes all reason to fear Him.

"There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear" (1 John 4:18).

I am no longer condemned in God's presence. I am a beloved child. I have no need to fear Him.

And because I don't need to fear Him, I can choose to love others.

"We love because He first loved us" (1 John 4:19).

So to turn my fear of others into love of others, God had to intervene.

And He did.