There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear,
because fear expects punishment. The person who is afraid
has not been made perfect in love. I John 4:18
You know, LifeSpeakers, I don’t normally lead with the bible verse but, God had me meditating this verse all last week. This phrase, “Perfect love drives out fear,” remained on replay in my mind all week and into the weekend.
When I John 4:18 refers to “perfect” love, it’s not referring to love that is flawless or love that has no need for improvements. I believe the word perfect has to do with maturity, with a depth of understanding. So, mature love drives out fear.
And if it’s mature love that drives out fear, it means in whatever areas of our lives where we are afraid, those are areas where mature love is lacking. So, what do we do with this information? Well, growth requires self-awareness, introspection, prayer and, as Shakespeare said, “To thine own self, be true.” Be honest with yourself and God. Not sure where to start?
Here are 5 questions we should all ask ourselves regarding areas where we are challenged by fear and its relationship to our love:
- Where are the areas in your life where you encounter fear?
- In those areas, how would you describe your ability to love?
- Is the fear related to something from your past?
- Is the fear related to a person?
- Are you willing to ask God to replace the fear with His love and help you trust Him so you can become fully mature in love and . . . fearless?
This is an exercise between you and God. No judgement. Just love.
I pray you find this helpful. It certainly helped me.
Keep the Faith, LifeSpeakers!
Love, Wilma
Encouraged? Share, subscribe and receive a new blogpost each Monday along with our monthly LifeSpeaker’s Love Letters – on the first day of the month. Follow on IG/TikTok @WilmaHollisLifeSpeak. Subscribe to our YouTube channel @LifeSpeakTV. Learn to win every battle and declare God’s word with LifeSpeak 101: Speak Life and Win (Amazon). LifeSpeak 102 – COMING SOON. Please DM all prayer requests through my IG account @wilmahollislifespeak. Keep the Faith, LifeSpeakers!
