No Fear

I was doing a call recently at a friend's house and as were talking she mentioned that she often has trouble sleeping at night because she's worried about what life will be like for her kids when they're older. It's not as though I couldn't empathize with her as I am just one of many who is frustrated by the turn of our culture in recent times and it's only getting worse.

I'm pretty sure I didn't have the answer to alleviate her fears, but I was able to pray with her that God would give her the peace to remember that He is in control. It did get me thinking about fear and the future and what does God really have to say about the matter.

I'm sure we're all a bit concerned about the upcoming elections since it doesn't seem like we have a clear-cut follower of Jesus or even one who seems a bit bothered by the decline of the culture. I have to admit I have been afraid and concerned about the safety of this country depending on who wins in November.

The Lord led me to study the book of 1 John to try and find some answers. Now I have always remembered this book as one on love, but I found it to be so much more this time. 17 times it mentions "the world" and I think our selfish tendency is to believe "the world" has never beens in as bad a shape as it is right now. And that may be.

I found the fourth chapter of 1 John to have a lot to say on fear and two verses especially grabbed me. Not necessarily new, but God's word always comes to me at a time I need it most. " You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." 1 John 4:4 NKJV

The "them" refers to the previous verse meaning "the world" or the "antichrist." I like this translation because notice the first He is capitalized because it refers to our big God and the other "he" is not, referring to the devil. The comfort I get from this verse is the God we're serving now will still be the same big God my children and my friend's children will be serving long after I'm gone. If God is great in me now He'll still be great in the future.

" There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love." 1 John 4:18. Because God's essence is love it is impossible for Him to fear, but it's not for us because we haven't perfected love. I was thinking that for all the things we strive to be "perfect" at like being "the perfect husband or wife" or "the perfect child" or "the perfect employee", we probably never wake up and say, "I think I'll try and perfect love today."

Imagine that, the better we get at love the better it will help us drive out the fear. Paul assures Timothy of that in 2 Timothy 1:7 "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." Now I'm not sure how sound my mind is at times, but nonetheless God never intended for us not to live in a state of fear.

Of all the verses I researched on fear or being afraid, all but one started out with "do not" in front and it didn't matter if it was the Old Testament or New. "Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ Isaiah 41:10 NKJV.

And finally Jesus said in John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

Go in peace today my friends and know that the God who loved and cared for our parents and generations earlier is still the same mighty God who will care for our children and grandchildren no matter who is president or how marriage is defined or whatever the next cultural breakdown is.

Bless you all.